Production of acetyl-coenzyme A derived isoprenoids

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are compositions and methods for the heterologous production of acetyl-CoA-derived isoprenoids in a host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating (ADA, E.C. 1.2.1.10) and an MEV pathway comprising an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an ADA and an MEV pathway comprising an acetoacetyl-CoA synthase. In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding a phosphoketolase and a phosphotransacetylase. In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprises a functional disruption of the native PDH-bypass. The compositions and methods described herein provide an energy-efficient yet redox balanced route for the heterologous production of acetyl-CoA-derived isoprenoids.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/673,819 filed on Nov. 9, 2012, which in turn claims benefit ofpriority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/557,893, filed on Nov.9, 2011, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for producingacetyl-CoA derived isoprenoids in engineered host cells.

2. BACKGROUND

Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is a key intermediate in the synthesis ofessential biological compounds, including polyketides, fatty acids,isoprenoids, phenolics, alkaloids, vitamins, and amino acids. Among themetabolites derived from acetyl-CoA are primary and secondarymetabolites, including compounds of industrial utility. Isoprenoids, forexample, are used in pharmaceutical products and as biofuels, foodadditives, and other specialty chemicals. An isoprenoid product istypically composed of repeating five carbon isopentenyl diphosphate(IPP) units, although irregular isoprenoids and polyterpenes have beenreported. In nature, isoprenoids are synthesized by consecutivecondensations of their precursor IPP and its isomer dimethylallylpyrophosphate (DMAPP). Two pathways for these precursors are known.Prokaryotes, with some exceptions, typically employ thedeoxyxylulose-5-phosphate (DXP) pathway to convert pyruvate andglyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) to IPP and DMAPP. Eukaryotes, with theexception of plants, generally use the mevalonate-dependent (MEV)pathway to convert acetyl-CoA to IPP, which is subsequently isomerizedto DMAPP.

The unicellular fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its close relativesuse two endogenous pathways to generate acetyl-CoA. One pathway takesplace in the mitochondrial matrix, where the PDH complex catalyzes theoxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate, generated from glucose viaglycolysis, to acetyl CoA. The PDH complex consists of 60 polypeptidechains—24 chains of the lipoamide reductase-transacetylase, 12 chains ofdihydrolipyl dehydrogenase, and 24 chains of pyruvate decarboxylase.This massive complex converts pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, generating NADH asa byproduct. The resulting acetyl-CoA can then be completely oxidized toCO₂ and H₂O via the citric acid cycle for energy generation, or be usedfor biosynthetic reactions that are performed in the mitochondria.

The acetyl-CoA generated in the mitochondria is unable to cross themitochondrial membrane into the cytosol. Thus, to generate cytosolicacetyl-CoA, which is needed for the biosynthesis of important primaryand secondary metabolites, S. cerevisiae uses an independent mechanismlocated in the cytosol known as the “PDH-bypass.” This multi-steppathway catalyzes: (1) the decarboxylation of pyruvate into acetaldehydeby pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC, EC 4.1.1.1); (2) the conversion ofacetaldehyde into acetate by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ACDH, EC1.2.1.5 and EC 1.2.1.4), which reduced one NADP⁺ to one NADPH; and (3)the synthesis of acetyl-CoA from acetate and CoA by acetyl-CoAsynthetase (ACS, EC 6.2.1.1), which hydrolyzes 1 ATP to 1 AMP, theenergetic equivalent of hydrolyzing 2 ATP to 2 ADP.

Since nature provides only low yield sources for the extraction of manyacetyl-CoA derived biomolecules, fermentative production usinggenetically modified microorganisms has become a promising alternativefor their production. However, utilization of the native acetyl-CoApathway for production of the acetyl-CoA intermediate has certainlimitations. For example, isoprenoid production via the native MEVpathway requires three acetyl-CoA molecules and the oxidation of twoNADPH for each molecule of mevalonate generated, as shown in FIG. 1.While the PDH-bypass generates one NADPH per acetyl-CoA produced, twoATP equivalents are expended in the process. Thus, while the generationof NADPH is beneficial with regard to the cofactor requirements of thenative MEV pathway, the expenditure of six ATP equivalents permevalonate generated results in an energetically inefficient reaction,as more carbon source must be diverted to ATP synthesis, e.g., via theTCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, at the expense of productyield.

Thus, one of the challenges in designing a production host thatefficiently produces acetyl-CoA derived compounds is to optimizeacetyl-CoA production such that the ATP requirements are minimized,while also meeting the co-factor and requirements of the biosyntheticpathway. The compositions and methods provided herein address this needand provide related advantages as well.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The compositions and methods described herein provide for theenergetically efficient and co-factor balanced production of acetyl-CoAderived isoprenoids. By utilizing a heterologous acylating acetaldehydedehydrogenase (alternately referred to as “acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase,acetylating,” “acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase, acylating,” or “ADA” (EC1.2.1.10)) as an alternative to the PDH-bypass for cytosolic productionof acetyl-CoA, two equivalents of ATP are saved per molecule ofacetyl-CoA produced. ADA converts acetaldehyde directly to acetyl-CoAwithout expenditure of ATP, and reduces one NAD⁺ to one NADH in theprocess.

While the ATP savings gained from replacement of the PDH-bypass with ADAcan be utilized towards higher product yields, there are potentialshortcomings associated with the use of ADA in combination with thenative mevalonate pathway. First, inactivation of the native PDH-bypassremoves one source of NADPH, while the reaction catalyzed by ADAproduces NADH. Thus, the replacement of the PDH-bypass with ADA, withoutfurther pathway modification, introduces a redox imbalance in isoprenoidsynthesis, which consumes NADPH.

Secondly, ADA catalyzes the following reversible reaction:Acetaldehyde+NAD⁺+Coenzyme A

Acetyl-CoA+NADH+H⁺The native PDH-bypass reaction for forming acetyl-CoA isthermodynamically favorable because the reaction is coupled to thehydrolysis of ATP to AMP. In contrast, the ADA reaction is not coupledto ATP, and is much closer to equilibrium than the native PDH-bypassreactions for forming Acetyl-CoA. Thus, the reaction catalyzed by ADAhas a lower a thermodynamic driving force behind the conversion ofacetaldehyde to acetyl-CoA, and without further pathway modification,the theoretical energy gains of ADA may not be realized.

The compositions and methods described herein address theseshortcomings. In some embodiments, to address the redox imbalanceintroduced by replacement of the PDH-bypass with ADA, the geneticallymodified host cells further utilize an NADH-using enzyme in theisoprenoid pathway to consume ADA-generated NADH. Thus, the pool of NADHgenerated by the ADA-mediated conversion of acetaldehyde to acetyl-CoAcan be utilized directly towards isoprenoid synthesis. In someembodiments, the NADH-using enzyme is an enzyme that is non-native tothe isoprenoid pathway. For example, the NADH-using enzyme can replacean NADPH-using enzyme that is native to the isoprenoid pathway. Inparticular embodiments, the NADH-using enzyme is an NADH-using3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) thatconverts HMG-CoA to mevalonate.

In some embodiments, to address the lower thermodynamic driving forcebehind the ADA reaction, the genetically modified host cells furtherutilize, as a first step in the mevalonate pathway, a thermodynamicallyfavorable reaction immediately downstream of acetyl-CoA to provide apull on the ADA reaction. In some embodiments, the formation ofacetoacetyl-CoA from acetyl-CoA is catalyzed by an acetoacetyl-CoAsynthase (AACS; alternately referred to as an acetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoAacyltransferase). The reaction catalyzed by AACS is thermodynamicallymore favorable than the reaction catalyzed by the acetyl-CoA thiolase ofthe native mevalonate pathway, due to the hydrolysis of 1 ATP resultingfrom the generation of malonyl-CoA by acetyl-CoA carboxylase (FIG. 5).Thus, AACS provides a stronger pull on acetyl-CoA to drive the ADAreaction forward.

The advantages of utilizing a heterologous ADA in combination with thesemodifications are exemplified by the improved theoretical yield of thesesquiterpene farnesene in host cells comprising a MEV pathway.Isoprenoid production via the native mevalonate pathway is illustratedin FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As indicated in FIG. 3, when cytosolic acetyl-CoAis synthesized from glucose using only the chemical reactions whichoccur in the native yeast metabolic network, the maximum possiblestoichiometric yield for conversion of glucose to farnesene via themevalonate pathway is 23.6 wt %, with 4.77 molecules of glucose beingrequired for the synthesis of each molecule of farnesene. 27 ATP arerequired per molecule of farnesene, 18 of which are consumed in thesynthesis of cytosolic acetyl-CoA from acetaldehyde via the PDH-bypass.However, by including the reactions catalyzed by ADA and NADH-usingHMG-CoA reductase into the metabolic network for mevalonate production,as illustrated in FIG. 4, the maximum theoretical stoichiometric yieldis improved to 25.2 wt %. In particular, ADA converts acetaldehyde toacetyl-CoA without any ATP input; this reduces the ATP equivalentsrequired for farnesene synthesis to 9, resulting in a savings of 18 ATPequivalents per molecule of farnesene produced (2 ATP equivalents peracetyl-CoA×9 acetyl-CoAs per 1 farnesene). This savings in ATP usageduring acetyl-CoA production eliminates the cell's need for oxygen torun the TCA cycle for farnesene production. The oxygen requirement forconversion of glucose to farnesene decreases from 7.8 molecules of O₂per glucose consumed to 6, thereby reducing a major production cost ofproviding oxygen to fermenters at scale. In addition, redox imbalance isalleviated by co-introduction of an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase, whichconsumes NADH generated by ADA.

As indicated in FIG. 4, there remains a stoichiometric excess of ATP ina strain that comprises both an ADA and an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase,which can be used by the cell for maintenance and growth. Alternatively,some of this excess ATP can be utilized towards improving the kineticsof acetoacetyl-CoA production, by introducing an acetoacetyl-CoAsynthase (AACS). As illustrated in FIG. 5, AACS is an enzyme whichsynthesizes acetoacteyl-CoA from malonyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA. Malonyl-CoAsynthesis requires an energetic input of 1 ATP per molecule ofacetyl-CoA converted (catalyzed by acetyl-CoA carboxylase, therebyimproving the thermodynamic driving force of acetoacetyl-CoA synthesisfrom acetyl-CoA. Importantly, this does not affect the maximumstoichiometric yield of farnesene from sugar or the oxygen demand of thepathway, as there is still excess ATP available in this strain design,as illustrated in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, additional efficiencies can be gained via theintroduction of phosphoketolase (PK) and phosphotransacetylase (PTA)enzymes. PK and PTA catalyze the reactions to convertfructose-6-phosphate (F6P) or xyulose-5-phosphate (X5P) to acetyl-CoA.With these metabolic pathways available, at optimality, the reactionnetwork is able to reach 29.8 wt % mass yield or greater, a significantincrease in maximum theoretical yield. This solution involves divertingcarbon away from lower glycolysis (G3P→pyruvate), which results in lessATP and NADH generation, both of which are already in excess in anetwork comprising the ADA and NADH-using HMG-CoA reductasemodifications. One benefit of reducing flux through lower glycolysis isthat less CO₂ is produced in converting pyruvate into acetaldehyde, andthus more carbon can be captured in the end product, thereby increasingthe maximum theoretical yield of the network. A second benefit is thatless NADH is produced, and therefore significantly less oxygen is neededto reoxidize it. In particular, the oxygen demand at optimality is only1.84 molecules of O₂ per glucose consumed. The redox impact of theaddition of PK and PTA to an ADA background is visible even at lowyields in the microscale, as illustrated in FIG. 13, where glycerolproduction returns to wild-type levels.

Thus, provided herein are genetically modified host cells and methods oftheir use for the production of acetyl-CoA-derived isoprenoids. In oneaspect, provided herein is a genetically modified host cell capable ofproducing an isoprenoid, the cell comprising: (a) one or moreheterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more enzymes of a mevalonate(MEV) pathway for making isopentenyl pyrophosphate; and (b) aheterologous nucleic acid encoding an acylating acetylaldehydedehydrogenase.

In some embodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprisean enzyme that condenses acetyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA to formacetoacetyl-CoA. In some embodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEVpathway comprise an acetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoA acyltransferase (i.e., anacetoacetyl-CoA synthase (AACS)).

In some embodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprisean NADH-using enzyme that converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate. In someembodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprise anNADH-using HMG-CoA reductase.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell furthercomprises a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphoketolase. Insome embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprises aheterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphotransacetylase.

In some embodiments, the amino acid sequence of the ADA is at least 80%identical to SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequenceof the acetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoA acyltransferase is at least 80% identicalto SEQ ID NO:16. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequence of theNADH-using HMG-CoA reductase is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:20.In some embodiments, the amino acid sequence of the phosphoketolase isat least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:12. In some embodiments, the aminoacid sequence of the phosphotransacetylase is at least 80% identical toSEQ ID NO:14.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell furthercomprises a functional disruption of one or more enzymes of the nativepyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)-bypass. In some embodiments, the one ormore enzymes of the PDH-bypass are selected from acetyl-CoA synthetase 1(ACS1), acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACS2), and aldehyde dehydrogenase 6(ALD6). In some embodiments, ACS1 is functionally disrupted. In someembodiments, ACS2 is functionally disrupted. In some embodiments, ALD6is functionally disrupted. In some embodiments, ACS1 and ACS2 arefunctionally disrupted. In some embodiments, ACS1, ACS2 and ALD6 arefunctionally disrupted.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell furthercomprises a functional disruption of one or more enzymes having alcoholdehydrogenase (ADH) activity. In some embodiments, the one or moreenzymes having ADH activity are selected from alcohol dehydrogenase 1(ADH1), alcohol dehydrogenase 3 (ADH3), alcohol dehydrogenase 4 (ADH4),and alcohol dehydrogenase 5 (ADH5).

In some embodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprisean enzyme that condenses two molecules of acetyl-CoA to formacetoacetyl-CoA. In some embodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEVpathway comprise an enzyme that condenses acetoacetyl-CoA withacetyl-CoA to form HMG-CoA. In some embodiments, the one or more enzymesof the MEV pathway comprise an enzyme that converts HMG-CoA tomevalonate. In some embodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEVpathway comprise an enzyme that phosphorylates mevalonate to mevalonate5-phosphate. In some embodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEVpathway comprise an enzyme that converts mevalonate 5-phosphate tomevalonate 5-pyrophosphate. In some embodiments, the one or more enzymesof the MEV pathway comprise an enzyme that converts mevalonate5-pyrophosphate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate. In some embodiments, theone or more enzymes of the MEV pathway are selected from HMG-CoAsynthase, mevalonate kinase, phosphomevalonate kinase and mevalonatepyrophosphate decarboxylase.

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a plurality of heterologousnucleic acids encoding all of the enzymes of the MEV pathway. In someembodiments, the one or more heterologous nucleic acids encoding one ormore enzymes of the MEV pathway are under control of a singletranscriptional regulator. In some embodiments, the one or moreheterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more enzymes of the MEVpathway are under control of multiple heterologous transcriptionalregulators.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell furthercomprises a heterologous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that canconvert isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) into dimethylallyl pyrophosphate(DMAPP). In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell furthercomprises a heterologous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that cancondense IPP and/or DMAPP molecules to form a polyprenyl compound. Insome embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprise aheterologous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that can modify IPP or apolyprenyl to form an isoprenoid compound. In some embodiments, theenzyme that can modify IPP or a polyprenyl to form an isoprenoidcompound is selected from the group consisting of carene synthase,geraniol synthase, linalool synthase, limonene synthase, myrcenesynthase, ocimene synthase, α-pinene synthase, β-pinene synthase,γ-terpinene synthase, terpinolene synthase, amorphadiene synthase,α-farnesene synthase, β-farnesene synthase, farnesol synthase, nerolidolsynthase, patchouliol synthase, nootkatone synthase, and abietadienesynthase. In some embodiments, the isoprenoid is selected from the groupconsisting of a hemiterpene, monoterpene, diterpene, triterpene,tetraterpene, sesquiterpene, and polyterpene. In some embodiments, theisoprenoid is a C₅-C₂₀ isoprenoid. In some embodiments, the isoprenoidis selected from the group consisting of abietadiene, amorphadiene,carene, α-farnesene, β-farnesene, farnesol, geraniol, geranylgeraniol,isoprene, linalool, limonene, myrcene, nerolidol, ocimene, patchoulol,β-pinene, sabinene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, and valencene.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell is a yeast cell.In some embodiments, the yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In another aspect, provided herein is a genetically modified host cellcapable of producing an isoprenoid, the cell comprising: (a) one or moreheterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more enzymes of a mevalonate(MEV) pathway for making isopentenyl pyrophosphate; (b) a heterologousnucleic acid encoding an acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating(ADA); (c) a functional disruption of at least one enzyme of the nativePDH-bypass selected from the group consisting of acetyl-CoA synthetase 1(ACS1), acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACS2), and aldehyde dehydrogenase 6(ALD6); (d) a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphoketolase (PK);and (e) a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphoketolase (PTA).

In another aspect, provided herein is a genetically modified host cellcapable of producing an isoprenoid, the cell comprising: (a) one or moreheterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more enzymes of a mevalonate(MEV) pathway for making isopentenyl pyrophosphate, wherein the one ormore enzymes comprise a NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase; (b) a heterologousnucleic acid encoding an acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating(ADA); and (c) a functional disruption of at least one enzyme of thenative PDH-bypass selected from the group consisting of acetyl-CoAsynthetase 1 (ACS1), acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACS2), and aldehydedehydrogenase 6 (ALD6).

In another aspect, provided herein is a genetically modified host cellcapable of producing an isoprenoid, the cell comprising: (a) one or moreheterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more enzymes of a mevalonate(MEV) pathway for making isopentenyl pyrophosphate, wherein the one ormore enzymes comprise a NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase; (b) a heterologousnucleic acid encoding an acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating(ADA); (c) a functional disruption of at least one enzyme of the nativePDH-bypass selected from the group consisting of acetyl-CoA synthetase 1(ACS1), acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACS2), and aldehyde dehydrogenase 6(ALD6); (d) a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphoketolase (PK);and (e) a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphoketolase (PTA).

In another aspect, provided herein is genetically modified host cellcapable of producing an isoprenoid, the cell comprising: (a) one or moreheterologous nucleic acids encoding one or more enzymes of a mevalonate(MEV) pathway for making isopentenyl pyrophosphate, wherein the one ormore enzymes comprise an acetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoA acyltransferase; (b) aheterologous nucleic acid encoding acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase,acetylating (ADA); and (c) a functional disruption of at least oneenzyme of the native PDH-bypass selected from the group consisting ofacetyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACS1), acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACS2), andaldehyde dehydrogenase 6 (ALD6).

In another aspect, provided herein is a genetically modified host cellcapable of producing an isoprenoid, the cell comprising: (a) one or moreheterologous nucleic acids encoding a plurality of enzymes of amevalonate (MEV) pathway for making isopentenyl pyrophosphate, whereinthe plurality of enzymes comprise an acetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoAacyltransferase and an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase; (b) a heterologousnucleic acid encoding an acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating(ADA); (c) a functional disruption of at least one enzyme of the nativePDH-bypass selected from the group consisting of acetyl-CoA synthetase 1(ACS1), acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACS2), and aldehyde dehydrogenase 6(ALD6); (d) a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphoketolase (PK);and (e) a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphoketolase (PTA).

In another aspect, provided herein is a method for producing anisoprenoid, the method comprising: (a) culturing a population ofgenetically modified yeast cells described herein in a medium with acarbon source under conditions suitable for making said isoprenoidcompound; and (b) recovering said isoprenoid compound from the medium.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides a schematic representation of the mevalonate (“MEV”)pathway for the production of isopentenyl diphosphate (“IPP”).

FIG. 2 provides a schematic representation of the conversion of IPP anddimethylallyl pyrophosphate (“DMAPP”) to geranyl pyrophosphate (“GPP”),farnesyl pyrophosphate (“FPP”), and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate(“GGPP”).

FIG. 3 provides a schematic representation of the optimal flow of carbonand the metabolic requirements and yields in the conversion of glucoseto farnesene via the mevalonate pathway, wherein cytosolic acetyl-CoA isgenerated via the “wild-type” PDH-bypass.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic representation of the optimal flow of carbonand the metabolic requirements and yields in the conversion of glucoseto farnesene via the mevalonate pathway, wherein cytosolic acetyl-CoA isgenerated via ADA, and the mevalonate pathway comprises an NADH-usingHMGr instead of an NADPH-using HMGr.

FIG. 5 provides a schematic representation of farnesene production fromacetyl-CoA, wherein acetoacteyl-CoA (AcAcCoA) is synthesized frommalonyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA (AcCoA) by acetoacetyl-CoA synthase (AACS).Malonyl-CoA synthesis requires an energetic input of 1 ATP per moleculeof acetyl-CoA converted (catalyzed by acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1)).

FIG. 6 provides a schematic representation of the optimal flow of carbonand the metabolic requirements and yields in the conversion of glucoseto farnesene via the mevalonate pathway, wherein cytosolic acetyl-CoA isgenerated via ADA, the mevalonate pathway comprises an NADH-using HMGrinstead of an NADPH-using HMGr, and acetoacteyl-CoA is synthesized frommalonyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA by acetoacetyl-CoA synthase.

FIG. 7 provides a schematic representation of the optimal flow of carbonand the metabolic requirements and yields in the conversion of glucoseto farnesene via the mevalonate pathway, wherein cytosolic acetyl-CoA isgenerated via ADA, the mevalonate pathway comprises an NADH-using HMGrinstead of an NADPH-using HMGr, and phosphoketolase (PK) andphosphotransacetylase (PTA) catalyze the reactions to convertfructose-6-phosphate (F6P) to acetyl-CoA.

FIG. 8 provides the NADPH-specific or NADH-specific activities (measuredas nmol/mg/min) of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductases fromSacchormyces cerevisiae (Sc. tHMG-CoA reductase), Pseudomonas mevalonii(Pm.), Delftia acidovorans (Da.) and Silicibacter pomeroyi (Sp.).

FIG. 9 provides cell densities (measured as OD₆₀₀) after 24 and 48 hoursfor S. cerevisiae (Sc.) strains comprising a heterologous MevT pathwaycomprising an NADPH-using HMG-CoA reductase (Sc. tHMG-CoA reductase) oran NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase (Pm.—Pseudomonas mevalonii; Da.—Delftiaacidovorans; Sp.—Silicibacter pomeroyi) in a wild-type ADH1, and an ADH1knockout (adh1Δ) background, respectively.

FIG. 10 provides glycerol production (measured as g/L) after 24 and 48hours for S. cerevisiae (Sc.) strains a heterologous MevT pathwaycomprising comprising an NADPH-using HMG-CoA reductase (Sc. tHMG-CoAreductase) or an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase (Pm.—Pseudomonasmevalonii; Da.—Delftia acidovorans; Sp.—Silicibacter pomeroyi) in both awild-type ADH1 and ADH1 knockout background.

FIG. 11 provides mevlonate production (measured as g/L) after 24 and 48hours for S. cerevisiae (Sc.) strains comprising an NADPH-using HMG-CoAreductase (Sc. tHMG-CoA reductase) or an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase(Pm.—Pseudomonas mevalonii; Da.—Delftia acidovorans; Sp.—Silicibacterpomeroyi) in both a wild-type ADH1 and ADH1 knockout (adh1Δ) background.

FIG. 12 provides farnesene production and cell densities of S.cerevisiae strains comprising: (A) heterologously expressed ADA(Dz.eutE) coupled with acs1Δacs2Δald6Δ and an MEV pathway comprisingeither an NADPH-using HMG-CoA reductase or an NADH-using HMG-CoAreductase; (B) an intact (wild-type) PDH-bypass and an MEV pathwaycomprising either an NADPH-using HMG-CoA reductase or an NADH-usingHMG-CoA reductase. Columns indicated as “Empty” represent wells withmedia only (no cells).

FIG. 13 provides glycerol production (top panels) and glucoseconsumption (lower panels) by: (A) a wild-type strain (Y968); a strainheterologously expressing ADA (Dz.eutE) (Y12869); and (B) a strainheterologously expressing ADA (Dz.eutE), phosphoketolase (PK) andphosphotransacetylase (PTA) (Y12745).

FIG. 14 provides mevalonate production by S. cerevisiae strainscomprising either an intact (wild-type) PDH-bypass or heterologouslyexpressed ADA (Dz.eutE) coupled with acs1Δacs2Δald6Δ; and an MEV pathwaycomprising either ERG10 (acetyl-CoA thiolase) or nphT7 (acetoacetyl-CoAsynthase).

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

5.1 Terminology

As used herein, the term “heterologous” refers to what is not normallyfound in nature. The term “heterologous nucleotide sequence” refers to anucleotide sequence not normally found in a given cell in nature. Assuch, a heterologous nucleotide sequence may be: (a) foreign to its hostcell (i.e., is “exogenous” to the cell); (b) naturally found in the hostcell (i.e., “endogenous”) but present at an unnatural quantity in thecell (i.e., greater or lesser quantity than naturally found in the hostcell); or (c) be naturally found in the host cell but positioned outsideof its natural locus. The term “heterologous enzyme” refers to an enzymethat is not normally found in a given cell in nature. The termencompasses an enzyme that is: (a) exogenous to a given cell (i.e.,encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is not naturally present in thehost cell or not naturally present in a given context in the host cell);and (b) naturally found in the host cell (e.g., the enzyme is encoded bya nucleotide sequence that is endogenous to the cell) but that isproduced in an unnatural amount (e.g., greater or lesser than thatnaturally found) in the host cell.

On the other hand, the term “native” or “endogenous” as used herein withreference to molecules, and in particular enzymes and nucleic acids,indicates molecules that are expressed in the organism in which theyoriginated or are found in nature, independently of the level ofexpression that can be lower, equal, or higher than the level ofexpression of the molecule in the native microorganism. It is understoodthat expression of native enzymes or polynucleotides may be modified inrecombinant microorganisms.

As used herein, to “functionally disrupt” or a “functional disruption”e.g., of a target gene, for example, one or more genes of thePDH-bypass, means that the target gene is altered in such a way as todecrease in the host cell the activity of the protein encoded by thetarget gene. Similarly, to “functionally disrupt” or a “functionaldisruption” e.g., of a target protein, for example, one or more enzymesof the PDH-bypass, means that the target protein is altered in such away as to decrease in the host cell the activity of the protein. In someembodiments, the activity of the target protein encoded by the targetgene is eliminated in the host cell. In other embodiments, the activityof the target protein encoded by the target gene is decreased in thehost cell. Functional disruption of the target gene may be achieved bydeleting all or a part of the gene so that gene expression is eliminatedor reduced, or so that the activity of the gene product is eliminated orreduced. Functional disruption of the target gene may also be achievedby mutating a regulatory element of the gene, e.g., the promoter of thegene so that expression is eliminated or reduced, or by mutating thecoding sequence of the gene so that the activity of the gene product iseliminated or reduced. In some embodiments, functional disruption of thetarget gene results in the removal of the complete open reading frame ofthe target gene.

As used herein, the term “parent cell” refers to a cell that has anidentical genetic background as a genetically modified host celldisclosed herein except that it does not comprise one or more particulargenetic modifications engineered into the modified host cell, forexample, one or more modifications selected from the group consistingof: heterologous expression of an ADA, heterologous expression of anNADH-using HMG-CoA reductase, heterologous expression of an AACS,heterologous expression of a phosphoketolase, heterologous expression ofa phosphotrancacetylase, and heterologous expression of one or moreenzymes of the mevalonate pathway.

As used herein, the term “production” generally refers to an amount ofan isoprenoid produced by a genetically modified host cell providedherein. In some embodiments, production is expressed as a yield ofisoprenoid by the host cell. In other embodiments, production isexpressed as a productivity of the host cell in producing theisoprenoid.

As used herein, the term “productivity” refers to production of anisoprenoid by a host cell, expressed as the amount of isoprenoidproduced (by weight) per amount of fermentation broth in which the hostcell is cultured (by volume) over time (per hour).

As used herein, the term “yield” refers to production of an isoprenoidby a host cell, expressed as the amount of isoprenoid produced peramount of carbon source consumed by the host cell, by weight.

5.2 Genetically Modified Microbes Producing Acetyl-CoA DerivedIsoprenoids

5.2.1 Host Cells

Host cells useful compositions and methods provided herein includearchae, prokaryotic, or eukaryotic cells.

Suitable prokaryotic hosts include, but are not limited, to any of avariety of gram-positive, gram-negative, or gram-variable bacteria.Examples include, but are not limited to, cells belonging to the genera:Agrobacterium, Alicyclobacillus, Anabaena, Anacystis, Arthrobacter,Azobacter, Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Chromatium, Clostridium,Corynebacterium, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Escherichia, Lactobacillus,Lactococcus, Mesorhizobium, Methylobacterium, Microbacterium,Phormidium, Pseudomonas, Rhodobacter, Rhodopseudomonas, Rhodospirillum,Rhodococcus, Salmonella, Scenedesmun, Serratia, Shigella, Staphlococcus,Strepromyces, Synnecoccus, and Zymomonas. Examples of prokaryoticstrains include, but are not limited to: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillusamyloliquefacines, Brevibacterium ammoniagenes, Brevibacteriumimmariophilum, Clostridium beigerinckii, Enterobacter sakazakii,Escherichia coli, Lactococcus lactis, Mesorhizobium loti, Pseudomonasaeruginosa, Pseudomonas mevalonii, Pseudomonas pudica, Rhodobactercapsulatus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Rhodospirillum rubrum, Salmonellaenterica, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigelladysenteriae, Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, and Staphylococcusaureus. In a particular embodiment, the host cell is an Escherichia colicell.

Suitable archae hosts include, but are not limited to, cells belongingto the genera: Aeropyrum, Archaeglobus, Halobacterium, Methanococcus,Methanobacterium, Pyrococcus, Sulfolobus, and Thermoplasma. Examples ofarchae strains include, but are not limited to: Archaeoglobus fulgidus,Halobacterium sp., Methanococcus jannaschii, Methanobacteriumthermoautotrophicum, Thermoplasma acidophilum, Thermoplasma volcanium,Pyrococcus horikoshii, Pyrococcus abyssi, and Aeropyrum pernix.

Suitable eukaryotic hosts include, but are not limited to, fungal cells,algal cells, insect cells, and plant cells. In some embodiments, yeastsuseful in the present methods include yeasts that have been depositedwith microorganism depositories (e.g. IFO, ATCC, etc.) and belong to thegenera Aciculoconidium, Ambrosiozyma, Arthroascus, Arxiozyma, Ashbya,Babjevia, Bensingtonia, Botryoascus, Botryozyma, Brettanomyces, Bullera,Bulleromyces, Candida, Citeromyces, Clavispora, Cryptococcus,Cystofilobasidium, Debaryomyces, Dekkara, Dipodascopsis, Dipodascus,Eeniella, Endomycopsella, Eremascus, Eremothecium, Erythrobasidium,Fellomyces, Filobasidium, Galactomyces, Geotrichum, Guilliermondella,Hanseniaspora, Hansenula, Hasegawaea, Holtermannia, Hormoascus,Hyphopichia, Issatchenkia, Kloeckera, Kloeckeraspora, Kluyveromyces,Kondoa, Kuraishia, Kurtzmanomyces, Leucosporidium, Lipomyces,Lodderomyces, Malassezia, Metschnikowia, Mrakia, Myxozyma, Nadsonia,Nakazawaea, Nematospora, Ogataea, Oosporidium, Pachysolen,Phachytichospora, Phaffia, Pichia, Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula,Saccharomyces, Saccharomycodes, Saccharomycopsis, Saitoella, Sakaguchia,Saturnospora, Schizoblastosporion, Schizosaccharomyces, Schwanniomyces,Sporidiobolus, Sporobolomyces, Sporopachydermia, Stephanoascus,Sterigmatomyces, Sterigmatosporidium, Symbiotaphrina, Sympodiomyces,Sympodiomycopsis, Torulaspora, Trichosporiella, Trichosporon,Trigonopsis, Tsuchiyaea, Udeniomyces, Waltomyces, Wickerhamia,Wickerhamiella, Williopsis, Yamadazyma, Yarrowia, Zygoascus,Zygosaccharomyces, Zygowilliopsis, and Zygozyma, among others.

In some embodiments, the host microbe is Saccharomyces cerevisiae,Pichia pastoris, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Dekkera bruxellensis,Kluyveromyces lactis (previously called Saccharomyces lactis),Kluveromyces marxianus, Arxula adeninivorans, or Hansenula polymorpha(now known as Pichia angusta). In some embodiments, the host microbe isa strain of the genus Candida, such as Candida lipolytica, Candidaguilliermondii, Candida krusei, Candida pseudotropicalis, or Candidautilis.

In a particular embodiment, the host microbe is Saccharomycescerevisiae. In some embodiments, the host is a strain of Saccharomycescerevisiae selected from the group consisting of Baker's yeast, CBS7959, CBS 7960, CBS 7961, CBS 7962, CBS 7963, CBS 7964, IZ-1904, TA,BG-1, CR-1, SA-1, M-26, Y-904, PE-2, PE-5, VR-1, BR-1, BR-2, ME-2, VR-2,MA-3, MA-4, CAT-1, CB-1, NR-1, BT-1, and AL-1. In some embodiments, thehost microbe is a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae selected from thegroup consisting of PE-2, CAT-1, VR-1, BG-1, CR-1, and SA-1. In aparticular embodiment, the strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is PE-2.In another particular embodiment, the strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeis CAT-1. In another particular embodiment, the strain of Saccharomycescerevisiae is BG-1.

In some embodiments, the host microbe is a microbe that is suitable forindustrial fermentation. In particular embodiments, the microbe isconditioned to subsist under high solvent concentration, hightemperature, expanded substrate utilization, nutrient limitation,osmotic stress due to sugar and salts, acidity, sulfite and bacterialcontamination, or combinations thereof, which are recognized stressconditions of the industrial fermentation environment.

5.2.2 Heterologous ADA for Acetyl-CoA Production

In one aspect, provided herein is a genetically modified host cellcapable of producing an acetyl-CoA derived isoprenoid, the cellcomprising one or more heterologous nucleotide sequences encodingacylating acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (alternately referred to as“acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating,” “acetylaldehydedehydrogenase, acylating,” or ADA (EC 1.2.1.10)).

Proteins capable of catalyzing this reaction that are useful for thecompositions and methods provided herein include the following fourtypes of proteins:

(1) Bifunctional proteins that catalyze the reversible conversion ofacetyl-CoA to acetaldehyde, and the subsequent reversible conversion ofacetaldehyde to ethanol. An example of this type of protein is the AdhEprotein in E. coli (Gen Bank No: NP_(—)415757). AdhE appears to be theevolutionary product of a gene fusion. The NH₂-terminal region of theAdhE protein is highly homologous to aldehyde:NAD⁺ oxidoreductases,whereas the COOH-terminal region is homologous to a family ofFe²⁺-dependent ethanol:NAD⁺ oxidoreductases (Membrillo-Hernandez et al.,(2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275: 33869-33875). The E. coli AdhE is subject tometal-catalyzed oxidation and therefore oxygen-sensitive (Tamarit et al.(1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273:3027-32).

(2) Proteins that catalyze the reversible conversion of acetyl-CoA toacetaldehyde in strictly or facultative anaerobic microbes but do notpossess alcohol dehydrogenase activity. An example of this type ofprotein has been reported in Clostridium kluyveri (Smith et al. (1980)Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 203: 663-675). An ADA has been annotated in thegenome of Clostridium kluyveri DSM 555 (accession no: EDK33116). Ahomologous protein AcdH is identified in the genome of Lactobacillusplantarum (accession no: NP_(—)784141). Another example of this type ofprotein is the ald gene product in Clostridium beijerinckii NRRL B593(Toth et al. (1999) Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65: 4973-4980, accessionno: AAD31841).

(3) Proteins that are involved in ethanolamine catabolism. Ethanolaminecan be utilized both as carbon and nitrogen source by manyenterobacteria (Stojiljkovic et al. (1995) J. Bacteriol. 177:1357-1366). Ethanolamine is first converted by ethanolamine ammonialyase to ammonia and acetaldehyde, subsequently, acetaldehyde isconverted by ADA to acetyl-CoA. An example of this type of ADA is theEutE protein in Salmonella typhimurium (Stojiljkovic et al. (1995) J.Bacteriol. 177: 1357-1366, accession no: AAL21357; see also U18560.1).E. coli is also able to utilize ethanolamine (Scarlett et al. (1976) J.Gen. Microbiol. 95:173-176) and has an EutE protein (accession no:AAG57564; see also EU897722.1) which is homologous to the EutE proteinin S. typhimurium.

(4) Proteins that are part of a bifunctional aldolase-dehydrogenasecomplex involved in 4-hydroxy-2-ketovalerate catabolism. Suchbifunctional enzymes catalyze the final two steps of the meta-cleavagepathway for catechol, an intermediate in many bacterial species in thedegradation of phenols, toluates, naphthalene, biphenyls and otheraromatic compounds (Powlowski and Shingler (1994) Biodegradation 5,219-236). 4-Hydroxy-2-ketovalerate is first converted by4-hydroxy-2-ketovalerate aldolase to pyruvate and acetaldehyde,subsequently acetaldehyde is converted by ADA to acetyl-CoA. An exampleof this type of ADA is the DmpF protein in Pseudomonas sp CF600(accession no: CAA43226) (Shingler et al. (1992) J. Bacteriol. 174:711-24). E. coli has a homologous MphF protein (Ferrandez et al. (1997) J.Bacteriol. 179: 2573-2581, accession no: NP_(—)414885) to the DmpFprotein in Pseudomonas sp. CF600.

In some embodiments, an ADA (or nucleic acid sequence encoding suchactivity) useful for the compositions and methods described herein isselected from the group consisting of Escherichia coli adhE, Entamoebahistolytica adh2, Staphylococcus aureus adhE, Piromyces sp.E2 adhE,Clostridium kluyveri (EDK33116), Lactobacillus plantarum acdH, andPseudomonas putida (YP_(—)001268189), as described in InternationalPublication No. WO 2009/013159, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference in their entirety. In some embodiments, the ADA is selectedfrom the group consisting of Clostridium botulinum eutE (FR745875.1),Desulfotalea psychrophila eutE (CR522870.1), Acinetobacter sp. HBS-2eutE (ABQ44511.2), Caldithrix abyssi eutE (ZP_(—)09549576), andHalorubrum lacusprofundi ATCC 49239 (YP_(—)002565337.1).

In particular embodiments, the ADA useful for the compositions andmethods provided herein is eutE from Dickeya zeae. A representative eutEnucleotide sequence of Dickeya zeae includes accession numberNC_(—)012912.1:1110476.1111855 and SEQ ID NO: 1 as provided herein. Arepresentative eutE protein sequence of Dickeya zeae includes accessionnumber YP_(—)003003316, and SEQ ID NO: 2 as provided herein. ADAs alsouseful in the compositions and methods provided herein include thosemolecules which are said to be “derivatives” of any of the ADAsdescribed herein. Such a “derivative” has the following characteristics:(1) it shares substantial homology with any of the ADAs describedherein; and (2) is capable of catalyzing the conversion of acetaldehydeto acetyl-CoA. A derivative of an ADA is said to share “substantialhomology” with ADA if the amino acid sequences of the derivative is atleast 80%, at least 85% and more preferably at least 90%, and mostpreferably at least 95%, the same as that of any of the ADAs describedherein.

5.2.2.1 Methods for Identifying Functional ADAs

In another aspect, provided herein is a screening method for ADAs withelevated in vivo performance. In this screening method, ADAs withelevated in vivo performance are identified by their ability to rescueengineered host cells from cell death. The engineered host cellscomprise a heterologous pathway for the production of a cytosolicacetyl-CoA derived secondary metabolite, e.g., an isoprenoid. In someembodiments, the engineered host cells further comprise a functionallydisrupted PDH-bypass pathway, and a weakly active ADA, wherein thecombined activities of the functionally disrupted PDH-bypass pathway andthe weakly active ADA do not produce enough cytosolic acetyl-CoA to meetthe requirements for production of both: (1) the cytosolic acetyl-CoAderived secondary metabolite; and (2) the cytosolic acetyl-CoA derivedprimary metabolites required for cell survival, health, and/or growth.For survival, health, and/or growth, the host cell thus requires anactive ADA that enables production of an elevated pool of cytosolicacetyl-CoA.

In some embodiments, the method of screening for ADAs with elevated invivo performance comprises: (a) expressing a control ADA in a host cellhaving a functionally disrupted PDH-bypass pathway to produce anelevated level of a cytosolic acetyl-CoA derived secondary metabolite,wherein production of the elevated level of the cytosolic acetyl-CoAderived secondary metabolite reduces the viability of the host cellcompared to a parent cell not producing the elevated level of thecytosolic acetyl-CoA derived secondary metabolite; and (b) expressing inthe host cell a test ADA instead of the control ADA; whereby an increasein viability of the host cell expressing the test ADA compared to thehost cell expressing the control ADA identifies the test ADA as havingimproved in vivo performance compared to the control ADA.

In some embodiments, production of the elevated level of a cytosolicacetyl-CoA derived secondary metabolite in the host cell is inducible.Induction may occur in response to an inducing agent (e.g., galcatose)or specific growth condition (e.g., growth temperature). When grown inthe absence of the inducing agent, the ADA activity of the host cell issufficient to enable production of the cytosolic acetyl-CoA required bythe host cell for survival. However, when grown in the presence of theinducing agent, the ADA activity of the host cell is not sufficient toenable production of both the cytosolic acetyl-CoA required by the hostcell for survival and the elevated level of the cytosolic acetyl-CoAderived secondary metabolite. In the latter case, the host cell thusrequires for survival a more active ADA that enables production of anelevated pool of cytosolic acetyl-CoA. The production of the cytosolicacetyl-CoA derived secondary metabolite in the host cell may range fromabout 10% to at least about 1.000-fold, or more, higher than theproduction of the cytosolic acetyl-CoA derived secondary metabolite inthe parent cell.

The reduced viability of the host cell expressing the control ADAcompared to the parent cell may range from decreased cell growth tolethality. Thus, in some embodiments, the host cell expressing thecontrol ADA produces a reduced number of progeny cells in a liquidculture or on an agar plate compared to the parent cell. In otherembodiments, the host cell expressing the control ADA produces noprogeny cells in a liquid culture or on an agar plate compared to theparent cell. Accordingly, the increase in viability of the host cellexpressing the test ADA instead of the control ADA may be apparent inliquid culture by a higher number of progeny cells, or on an agar plateby a larger colony size, compared to the number of progeny cells orcolony size produced by the host cell expressing the control ADA.

Production of the elevated level of the cytosolic acetyl-CoA derivedsecondary metabolite in the host cell may be effected by modifying theexpression and/or activity of an enzyme involved in the production ofthe cytosolic acetyl-CoA derived secondary metabolite or its precursorsin the host cell. In some such embodiments, the expression and/oractivity of an enzyme of the MEV or DXP pathway is modified. In somesuch embodiments, the expression and/or activity of a HMG-CoA reductaseand/or a mevalonate kinase is modified.

The control ADA and test ADA may be naturally occurring ADAs ornon-naturally occurring ADAs. In some embodiments, the test ADA is avariant of the control ADA that differs from the control ADA by one ormore amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or additions. In someembodiments, the test ADA comprises identical amino acids as the controlADA but the codons encoding these amino acids differ between the testADA and the control ADA. In some such embodiments, the codons areoptimized for usage in the host cell. In some embodiments, the controlADA and/or test ADA is fused to a pyruvate decarboxylase. In someembodiments, expression of the test ADA is under regulatory control of astrong promoter. In some embodiments, expression of the test ADA isunder regulatory control of a medium strength promoter. In someembodiments, expression of the test ADA is under regulatory control of aweak promoter.

The increase in viability of the host cell in the presence of the testADA may be effected by a test ADA that is more active than the controlADA or by a test ADA that is similarly or less active than the controlADA but that is expressed at a higher level. Identification of test ADAswith increased activity can be accomplished by expressing the controlADA and the test ADA at similar levels in the host cell. This can beaccomplished, for example, by placing the nucleotide sequences encodingthe control ADA and test ADA in the host cell under the control of thesame regulatory elements. In other embodiments in which the method isused, for example, to identify regulatory elements (e.g., promoters)that provide a desired expression level, the test ADA differs from thecontrol ADA not in nucleotide or amino acid sequence but in expressionlevel. In such embodiments, different regulatory elements can be usedfor the expression of the control ADA and the test ADA, and comparisonof host cell viabilities provides information not about the activity ofthe test ADA but about the strength of the regulatory elements drivingthe expression of the test ADA.

To prevent a competitive growth situation in which fast growing falsepositive host cells comprising a growth promoting mutation rather thanan improved ADA variant take over a host cell culture, one embodiment ofthe screening method involves an agar-plate based selection system. Inthis embodiment, the host cell is plated on an agar plate, and a hostcell comprising a test ADA variant with improved in vivo performance isidentified by colony growth.

A substantial advantage of the presently disclosed screening method isits simplicity and capacity for high-throughput implementation. ADAvariants are identified simply based on cell viability, making othercostly and time consuming screening methods virtually unnecessary. Thus,in one embodiment, the method is used to screen a collection of ADAvariants (e.g., a library of mutant ADAs) for ADA variants with improvedin vivo performance. In such an embodiment, not a single test ADA isexpressed in a host cell but a collection of test ADAs are expressed ina collection of host cells. The host cells can then be grown on agarplates, and host cells expressing ADA variants with improved in vivoperformance can be identified based on colony growth. In someembodiments, the collection of ADA variants comprises from 2 to 5, from5 to 10, from 10 to 50, from 50 to 100, from 100 to 500, from 500 to1,000, from 1,000 to 10,000, from 10,000 to 100,000, from 100,000 to1,000,000, and more, ADA variants.

Another major advantage of the presently disclosed screening method isits continued capacity to select for better and better ADA variants inan iterative fashion, wherein a test ADA identified in an iteration isused as the control ADA in a subsequent iteration. Such an embodimentrequires, however, that at each iteration the production of thecytosolic acetyl-CoA derived secondary metabolite in the host cell ischecked and potentially increased (e.g., by increasing or decreasingexpression levels of enzymes, adding or subtracting enzymes, increasingor decreasing copy numbers of genes, replacing promoters controllingexpression of enzymes, or altering enzymes by genetic mutation) to alevel that causes reduced viability when the host cell expresses the newcontrol ADA (i.e., the test ADA of the previous iteration).Alternatively, or in addition, at each iteration, the expression of thecontrol ADA can be reduced (e.g., by decreasing expression of or byusing weaker promoters or by reducing the stability of the control ADAtranscript or polypeptide) to provide reduced control ADA activity. Inthe next iteration, a test ADA can then be identified that has yetincreased in vivo performance compared to the test ADA of the previousiteration.

Another major advantage of the presently disclosed screening method isthat selection for improved ADAs occurs in vivo rather than in vitro. Asa result, improvements of multiple enzyme properties that enhance the invivo performance of the ADA variant can be obtained.

Enzymes developed using the presently disclosed screening method can besubjected to additional means of optional screening including but notlimited to a fluorescent screen and/or a direct quantitation of thecytosolic acetyl-CoA derived secondary metabolite by gas chromatography.More specifically, this includes a Nile Red-based high throughputfluorescent assay for measuring production of a sesquiterpene such asfarnesene, and a gas chromatography (GC)-based direct quantitationmethod for measuring the titer of a sesquiterpene such as farnesene. Theimproved enzymes can also be further improved by genetic engineeringmethods such as induced mutations and the like. As a result,improvements of multiple enzyme properties that enhance the final enzymeperformance are successively accomplished, and the most effective enzymevariants are identified.

5.2.3 Functional Disruption of the PDH-bypass

Acetyl-CoA can be formed in the mitochondria by oxidativedecarboxylation of pyruvate catalyzed by the PDH complex. However, dueto the inability of S. cerevisiae to transport acetyl-CoA out of themitochondria, the PDH bypass has an essential role in providingacetyl-CoA in the cytosolic compartment, and provides an alternativeroute to the PDH reaction for the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA.The PDH bypass involves the enzymes pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC; EC4.1.1.1), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ACDH; EC 1.2.1.5 and EC 1.2.1.4),and acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS; EC 6.2.1.1). Pyruvate decarboxylasecatalyzes the decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetaldehyde and carbondioxide. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase oxidizes acetaldehyde to aceticacid. In S. cerevisiae, the family of aldehyde dehydrogenases containsfive members. ALD2 (YMR170c), ALD3 (YMR169c), and ALD6 (YPL061w)correspond to the cytosolic isoforms, while ALD4 (YOR374w) and ALD5(YER073w) encode the mitochondrial enzyme. The main cytosolicacetaldehyde dehydrogenase isoform is encoded by ALD6. The formation ofacetyl-CoA from acetate is catalyzed by ACS and involves hydrolysis ofATP. Two structural genes, ACS1 and ACS2, encode ACS.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell comprises afunctional disruption in one or more genes of the PDH-bypass pathway. Insome embodiments, disruption of the one or more genes of the PDH-bypassof the host cell results in a genetically modified microbial cell thatis impaired in its ability to catalyze one or more of the followingreactions: (1) the decarboxylation of pyruvate into acetaldehyde bypyruvate decarboxylase; (2) the conversion of acetaldehyde into acetateby acetaldehyde dehydrogenase; and (3) the synthesis of acetyl-CoA fromacetate and CoA by acetyl-CoA synthetase.

In some embodiments, compared to a parent cell, a host cell comprises afunctional disruption in one or more genes of the PDH-bypass pathway,wherein the activity of the reduced-function or non-functionalPDH-bypass pathway alone or in combination with a weak ADA is notsufficient to support host cell growth, viability, and/or health.

In some embodiments, the activity or expression of one or moreendogenous proteins of the PDH-bypass is reduced by at least about 50%.In another embodiment, the activity or expression of one or moreendogenous proteins of the PDH-bypass is reduced by at least about 60%,by at least about 65%, by at least about 70%, by at least about 75%, byat least about 80%, by at least about 85%, by at least about 90%, by atleast about 95%, or by at least about 99% as compared to a recombinantmicroorganism not comprising a reduction or deletion of the activity orexpression of one or more endogenous proteins of the PDH-bypass.

As is understood by those skilled in the art, there are severalmechanisms available for reducing or disrupting the activity of aprotein, such as a protein of the PDH-bypass, including, but not limitedto, the use of a regulated promoter, use of a weak constitutivepromoter, disruption of one of the two copies of the gene encoding theprotein in a diploid yeast, disruption of both copies of the gene in adiploid yeast, expression of an anti-sense nucleic acid, expression ofan siRNA, over expression of a negative regulator of the endogenouspromoter, alteration of the activity of an endogenous or heterologousgene, use of a heterologous gene with lower specific activity, the likeor combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell comprises amutation in at least one gene encoding for a protein of the PDH-bypass,resulting in a reduction of activity of a polypeptide encoded by saidgene. In another embodiment, the genetically modified host cellcomprises a partial deletion of gene encoding for a protein of thePDH-bypass, resulting in a reduction of activity of a polypeptideencoded by the gene. In another embodiment, the genetically modifiedhost cell comprises a complete deletion of a gene encoding for a proteinof the PDH-bypass, resulting in a reduction of activity of a polypeptideencoded by the gene. In yet another embodiment, the genetically modifiedhost cell comprises a modification of the regulatory region associatedwith the gene encoding a protein of the PDH-bypass, resulting in areduction of expression of a polypeptide encoded by said gene. In yetanother embodiment, the genetically modified host cell comprises amodification of the transcriptional regulator resulting in a reductionof transcription of a gene encoding a protein of the PDH-bypass. In yetanother embodiment, the genetically modified host cell comprisesmutations in all genes encoding for a protein of the PDH-bypassresulting in a reduction of activity of a polypeptide encoded by thegene(s). In one embodiment, the activity or expression of the protein ofthe PDH-bypass is reduced by at least about 50%. In another embodiment,the activity or expression of the protein of the PDH-bypass is reducedby at least about 60%, by at least about 65%, by at least about 70%, byat least about 75%, by at least about 80%, by at least about 85%, by atleast about 90%, by at least about 95%, or by at least about 99% ascompared to a recombinant microorganism not comprising a reduction ofthe activity or expression of the protein of the PDH-bypass.

In some embodiments, disruption of one or more genes of the PDH-bypassis achieved by using a “disruption construct” that is capable ofspecifically disrupting a gene of the PDH-bypass upon introduction ofthe construct into the microbial cell, thereby rendering the disruptedgene non-functional. In some embodiments, disruption of the target geneprevents the expression of a functional protein. In some embodiments,disruption of the target gene results in expression of a non-functionalprotein from the disrupted gene. In some embodiments, disruption of agene of the PDH-bypass is achieved by integration of a “disruptingsequence” within the target gene locus by homologous recombination. Insuch embodiments, the disruption construct comprises a disruptingsequence flanked by a pair of nucleotide sequences that are homologousto a pair of nucleotide sequences of the target gene locus (homologoussequences). Upon replacement of the targeted portion of the target geneby the disruption construct, the disrupting sequence prevents theexpression of a functional protein, or causes expression of anon-functional protein, from the target gene.

Disruption constructs capable of disrupting a gene of the PDH-bypass maybe constructed using standard molecular biology techniques well known inthe art. See, e.g., Sambrook et al., 2001, Molecular Cloning—ALaboratory Manual, 3^(rd) edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, ColdSpring Harbor, N.Y., and Ausubel et al., eds., Current Edition, CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates and WileyInterscience, NY. Parameters of disruption constructs that may be variedin the practice of the present methods include, but are not limited to,the lengths of the homologous sequences; the nucleotide sequence of thehomologous sequences; the length of the disrupting sequence; thenucleotide sequence of the disrupting sequence; and the nucleotidesequence of the target gene. In some embodiments, an effective range forthe length of each homologous sequence is 50 to 5,000 base pairs. Inparticular embodiments, the length of each homologous sequence is about500 base pairs. For a discussion of the length of homology required forgene targeting, see Hasty et al., Mol Cell Biol 11:5586-91 (1991). Insome embodiments, the homologous sequences comprise coding sequences ofthe target gene. In other embodiments, the homologous sequences compriseupstream or downstream sequences of the target gene. Is someembodiments, one homologous sequence comprises a nucleotide sequencethat is homologous to a nucleotide sequence located 5′ of the codingsequence of the target gene, and the other homologous sequence comprisesa nucleotide sequence that is homologous to a nucleotide sequencelocated 3′ of the coding sequence of the target gene. In someembodiments, the disrupting sequence comprises a nucleotide sequenceencoding a selectable marker that enables selection of microbial cellscomprising the disrupting sequence. Thus, in such embodiments, thedisruption construct has a dual function, i.e., to functionally disruptthe target gene and to provide a selectable marker for theidentification of cells in which the target gene is functionallydisrupted. In some embodiments, a termination codon is positionedin-frame with and downstream of the nucleotide sequence encoding theselectable marker to prevent translational read-through that might yielda fusion protein having some degree of activity of the wild type proteinencoded by the target gene. In some embodiments, the length of thedisrupting sequence is one base pair. Insertion of a single base paircan suffice to disrupt a target gene because insertion of the singlebase pair in a coding sequence could constitute a frame shift mutationthat could prevent expression of a functional protein. In someembodiments, the sequence of the disruption sequence differs from thenucleotide sequence of the target gene located between the homologoussequences by a single base pair. Upon replacement of the nucleotidesequence within the target gene with the disrupting sequence, the singlebase pair substitution that is introduced could result in a single aminoacid substitution at a critical site in the protein and the expressionof a non-functional protein. It should be recognized, however, thatdisruptions effected using very short disrupting sequences aresusceptible to reversion to the wild type sequence through spontaneousmutation, thus leading to restoration of PDH-bypass function to the hoststrain. Accordingly, in particular embodiments, the disrupting sequencesare longer than one to a few base pairs. At the other extreme, adisrupting sequence of excessive length is unlikely to confer anyadvantage over a disrupting sequence of moderate length, and mightdiminish efficiency of transfection or targeting. Excessive length inthis context is many times longer than the distance between the chosenhomologous sequences in the target gene. Thus, in certain embodiments,the length for the disrupting sequence can be from 2 to 2,000 basepairs. In other embodiments, the length for the disrupting sequence is alength approximately equivalent to the distance between the regions ofthe target gene locus that match the homologous sequences in thedisruption construct.

In some embodiments, the disruption construct is a linear DNA molecule.In other embodiments, the disruption construct is a circular DNAmolecule. In some embodiments, the circular disruption constructcomprises a pair of homologous sequences separated by a disruptingsequence, as described above. In some embodiments, the circulardisruption construct comprises a single homologous sequence. Suchcircular disruption constructs, upon integration at the target genelocus, would become linearized, with a portion of the homologoussequence positioned at each end and the remaining segments of thedisruption construct inserting into and disrupting the target genewithout replacing any of the target gene nucleotide sequence. Inparticular embodiments, the single homologous sequence of a circulardisruption construct is homologous to a sequence located within thecoding sequence of the target gene.

Disruption constructs can be introduced into a microbial cell by anymethod known to one of skill in the art without limitation. Such methodsinclude, but are not limited to, direct uptake of the molecule by a cellfrom solution, or facilitated uptake through lipofection using, e.g.,liposomes or immunoliposomes; particle-mediated transfection; etc. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,065; Goeddel et al., eds, 1990, Methods inEnzymology, vol. 185, Academic Press, Inc., CA; Krieger, 1990, GeneTransfer and Expression—A Laboratory Manual, Stockton Press, NY;Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual, ColdSpring Harbor Laboratory, NY; and Ausubel et al., eds., Current Edition,Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates andWiley Interscience, NY. Particular methods for transforming yeast cellsare well known in the art. See Hinnen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA75:1292-3 (1978); Cregg et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:3376-3385 (1985).Exemplary techniques include, but are not limited to, spheroplasting,electroporation, PEG 1000 mediated transformation, and lithium acetateor lithium chloride mediated transformation.

5.2.3.1 ALD4 and ALD6

In some embodiments, one or more genes encoding aldehyde dehydrogenase(ACDH) activity are functionally disrupted in the host cell. In someembodiments, the aldehyde dehydrogenase is encoded by a gene selectedfrom the group consisting of ALD2, ALD3, ALD4, ALD5, ALD6, and homologsand variants thereof.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell comprises afunctional disruption of ALD4. Representative ALD4 nucleotide sequencesof Saccharomyces cerevisiae include accession number NM_(—)001183794,and SEQ ID NO:7 as provided herein. Representative Ald4 proteinsequences of Saccharomyces cerevisiae include accession numberNP_(—)015019.1 and SEQ ID NO:8 as provided herein.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell comprises afunctional disruption of cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALD6). Ald6pfunctions in the native PDH-bypass to convert acetaldehyde to acetate.Representative ALD6 nucleotide sequences of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeinclude accession number SCU56604, and SEQ ID NO:9 as provided herein.Representative Ald6 protein sequences of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeinclude accession number AAB01219 and SEQ ID NO:10 as provided herein.

As would be understood in the art, naturally occurring homologs ofaldehyde dehydrogenase in yeast other than S. cerevisiae can similarlybe inactivated using the methods described herein.

As would be understood by one skilled in the art, the activity orexpression of more than one aldehyde dehydrogenase can be reduced oreliminated. In one specific embodiment, the activity or expression ofALD4 and ALD6 or homologs or variants thereof is reduced or eliminated.In another specific embodiment, the activity or expression of ALD5 andALD6 or homologs or variants thereof is reduced or eliminated. In yetanother specific embodiment, the activity or expression of ALD4, ALD5,and ALD6 or homologs or variants thereof is reduced or eliminated. Inyet another specific embodiment, the activity or expression of thecytosolically localized aldehyde dehydrogenases ALD2, ALD3, and ALD6 orhomologs or variants thereof is reduced or eliminated. In yet anotherspecific embodiment, the activity or expression of the mitochondriallylocalized aldehyde dehydrogenases, ALD4 and ALD5 or homologs or variantsthereof, is reduced or eliminated.

5.2.3.2 ACS1 and ACS2

In some embodiments, one or more genes encoding acetyl-CoA synthetase(ACS) activity are functionally disrupted in the host cell. In someembodiments, the acetyl-CoA synthetase is encoded by a gene selectedfrom the group consisting of ACS1, ACS2, and homologs and variantsthereof.

In some embodiments, one or more genes encoding acetyl-CoA synthetase(ACS) activity is functionally disrupted in the host cell. ACS1 and ACS2are both acetyl-CoA synthetases that can convert acetate to acetyl-CoA.ACS1 is expressed only under respiratory conditions, whereas ACS2 isexpressed constitutively. When ACS2 is knocked out, strains are able togrow on respiratory conditions (e.g. ethanol, glycerol, or acetatemedia), but die on fermentable carbon sources (e.g. sucrose, glucose).

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell comprises afunctional disruption of ACS1. The sequence of the ACS1 gene of S.cerevisiae has been previously described. See, e.g., Nagasu et al., Gene37 (1-3):247-253 (1985). Representative ACS1 nucleotide sequences ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae include accession number X66425, and SEQ IDNO:3 as provided herein. Representative Acs1 protein sequences ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae include accession number AAC04979 and SEQ IDNO:4 as provided herein.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell comprises afunctional disruption of ACS2. The sequence of the ACS2 gene of S.cerevisiae has been previously described. See, e.g., Van den Berg etal., Eur. J. Biochem. 231(3):704-713 (1995). Representative ACS2nucleotide sequences of Saccharomyces cerevisiae include accessionnumber S79456, and SEQ ID NO:5 as provided herein. Representative Acs2protein sequences of Saccharomyces cerevisiae include accession numberCAA97725 and SEQ ID NO:6 as provided herein.

As would be understood in the art, naturally occurring homologs ofacetyl-CoA synthetase in yeast other than S. cerevisiae can similarly beinactivated using the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a cytosolic acetyl-coAsynthetase activity that can convert acetate to acetyl-CoA underrespiratory conditions (i.e., when the host cell is grown in thepresence of e.g. ethanol, glycerol, or acetate). In some suchembodiments, the host cell is a yeast cell that comprises ACS1 activity.In other embodiments, the host cell compared to a parent cell comprisesno or reduced endogenous acetyl-CoA synthetase activity underrespiratory conditions. In some such embodiments, the host cell is ayeast cell that compared to a parent cell comprises no or reduced ACS1activity.

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a cytosolic acetyl-coAsynthetase activity that can convert acetate to acetyl-CoA undernon-respiratory conditions (i.e., when the host cell is grown in thepresence of fermentable carbon sources (e.g. sucrose, glucose)). In somesuch embodiments, the host cell is a yeast cell that comprises ACS2activity. In other embodiments, the host cell compared to a parent cellcomprises no or reduced endogenous acetyl-CoA synthetase activity undernon-respiratory conditions. In some such embodiments, the host cell is ayeast cell that compared to a parent cell comprises no or reduced ACS2activity.

5.2.4 Phophoketolase (PK) and Phosphotransacetylase (PTA)

In yeast, acetyl-CoA is biosynthesized from glucose via glycolysis, thetricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and pyruvatemetabolism. However, in this biosynthetic pathway, CO₂ is lost duringpyruvate metabolism by pyruvate carboxylase, and in the TCA cycle bypyruvate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase. In an industrialfermentation setting, one benefit of reducing flux through lowerglycolysis is that less CO₂ is produced in converting pyruvate intoacetaldehyde, and thus more carbon can be captured in the end product,thereby increasing the maximum theoretical yield. A second benefit isthat less NADH is produced, and therefore significantly less oxygen isneeded to reoxidize it. The loss of carbon atoms can theoretically beavoided by bypassing the TCA cycle. This can be accomplished by usingphosphoketolase (PK) (enzyme classes EC 4.1.2.9, EC 4.1.2.22) inconjunction with phosphoacetyltransferase (PTA) (EC 2.3.1.8).

PK and PTA catalyze the reactions to convert fructose-6-phosphate (F6P)or xylulose-5-phosphate (X5P) to acetyl-CoA (FIG. 7). PK draws from thepentose phosphate intermediate xyulose 5-phosphate, or from the upperglycolysis intermediate D-fructose 6-phosphate (F6P); PK splits X5P intoglyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) and acetyl phosphate, or F6P intoerythrose 4-phosphate (E4P). PTA then converts the acetyl phosphate intoacetyl-CoA. G3P can re-enter lower glycolysis, and E4P can re-enter thepentose phosphate pathway or glycolysis by cycling through thenon-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway network of transaldolases andtransketolases.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell provided hereincomprises a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a phosphoketolase.In some embodiments, the phosphoketolase is from Leuconostocmesenteroides (Lee et al., Biotechnol Lett. 27(12); 853-858 (2005).Representative phosphoketolase nucleotide sequences of Leuconostocmesenteroides includes accession number AY804190, and SEQ ID NO: 11 asprovided herein. Representative phosphoketolase protein sequences ofLeuconostoc mesenteroides include accession numbers YP_(—)819405,AAV66077.1 and SEQ ID NO: 12 as provided herein. Other usefulphosphoketolases include, but are not limited to, those fromBifidobacterium dentium ATCC 27678 (ABIX02000002.1:2350400.2352877;EDT46356.1); Bifidobacterium animalis (NC_(—)017834.1:1127580.1130057;YP_(—)006280131.1); and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum(AY518216.1:988.3465; AAR98788.1).

Phosphoketolases also useful in the compositions and methods providedherein include those molecules which are said to be “derivatives” of anyof the phosphoketolases described herein. Such a “derivative” has thefollowing characteristics: (1) it shares substantial homology with anyof the phosphoketolases described herein; and (2) is capable ofcatalyzing the conversion of X5P into glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P)and acetyl phosphate; or F6P into erythrose 4-phosphate (E4P). Aderivative of a phosphoketolase is said to share “substantial homology”with the phosphoketolase if the amino acid sequences of the derivativeis at least 80%, and more preferably at least 90%, and most preferablyat least 95%, the same as that of the phosphoketolase.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell provided hereincomprises a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding aphosphotransacetylase. In some embodiments, the phosphotransacetylase isfrom Clostridium kluyveri. Representative phosphotransacetylasenucleotide sequences of Clostridium kluyveri includes accession numberNC_(—)009706.1:1428554.1429555, and SEQ ID NO: 13 as provided herein.Representative phosphotransacetylase protein sequences of Clostridiumkluyveri include accession number YP_(—)001394780 and SEQ ID NO: 14 asprovided herein. Other useful phosphotransacetylases include, but arenot limited to, those from Lactobacillus reuteri(NC_(—)010609.1:460303.461277; YP_(—)001841389.10); Bacillus subtilis(NC_(—)014479.1:3671865.3672836; YP_(—)003868063.1); and Methanosarcinathermophile (L23147.1:207.1208; AAA72041.1).

Phosphotransacetylases also useful in the compositions and methodsprovided herein include those molecules which are said to be“derivatives” of any of the phosphotransacetylases described herein.Such a “derivative” has the following characteristics: (1) it sharessubstantial homology with any of the phosphotransacetylases describedherein; and (2) is capable of catalyzing the conversion of acetylphosphate into acetyl-CoA. A derivative of a phosphotransacetylase issaid to share “substantial homology” with the phosphotransacetylase ifthe amino acid sequences of the derivative is at least 80%, and morepreferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%, the same asthat of the phosphotransacetylase.

5.2.5 MEV Pathway

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises one or more heterologousenzymes of the MEV pathway. In some embodiments, the one or more enzymesof the MEV pathway comprise an enzyme that condenses acetyl-CoA withmalonyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA. In some embodiments, the one ormore enzymes of the MEV pathway comprise an enzyme that condenses twomolecules of acetyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA. In some embodiments,the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprise an enzyme thatcondenses acetoacetyl-CoA with acetyl-CoA to form HMG-CoA. In someembodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprise anenzyme that converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate. In some embodiments, the oneor more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprise an enzyme thatphosphorylates mevalonate to mevalonate 5-phosphate. In someembodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprise anenzyme that converts mevalonate 5-phosphate to mevalonate5-pyrophosphate. In some embodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEVpathway comprise an enzyme that converts mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate toisopentenyl pyrophosphate.

In some embodiments, the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway areselected from the group consisting of acetyl-CoA thiolase,acetoacetyl-CoA synthase, HMG-CoA synthase, HMG-CoA reductase,mevalonate kinase, phosphomevalonate kinase and mevalonate pyrophosphatedecarboxylase. In some embodiments, with regard to the enzyme of the MEVpathway capable of catalyzing the formation of acetoacetyl-CoA, thegenetically modified host cell comprises either an enzyme that condensestwo molecules of acetyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA, e.g., acetyl-CoAthiolase; or an enzyme that condenses acetyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA toform acetoacetyl-CoA, e.g., acetoacetyl-CoA synthase. In someembodiments, the genetically modified host cell comprises both an enzymethat condenses two molecules of acetyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA,e.g., acetyl-CoA thiolase; and an enzyme that condenses acetyl-CoA withmalonyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA, e.g., acetoacetyl-CoA synthase.

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises one or more heterologousnucleotide sequences encoding more than one enzyme of the MEV pathway.In some embodiments, the host cell comprises one or more heterologousnucleotide sequences encoding two enzymes of the MEV pathway. In someembodiments, the host cell comprises one or more heterologous nucleotidesequences encoding an enzyme that can convert HMG-CoA into mevalonateand an enzyme that can convert mevalonate into mevalonate 5-phosphate.In some embodiments, the host cell comprises one or more heterologousnucleotide sequences encoding three enzymes of the MEV pathway. In someembodiments, the host cell comprises one or more heterologous nucleotidesequences encoding four enzymes of the MEV pathway. In some embodiments,the host cell comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequencesencoding five enzymes of the MEV pathway. In some embodiments, the hostcell comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequences encodingsix enzymes of the MEV pathway. In some embodiments, the host cellcomprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding sevenenzymes of the MEV pathway. In some embodiments, the host cell comprisesa plurality of heterologous nucleic acids encoding all of the enzymes ofthe MEV pathway.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell furthercomprises a heterologous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that canconvert isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) into dimethylallyl pyrophosphate(DMAPP). In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell furthercomprises a heterologous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that cancondense IPP and/or DMAPP molecules to form a polyprenyl compound. Insome embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprise aheterologous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that can modify IPP or apolyprenyl to form an isoprenoid compound.

5.2.5.1 Conversion of Acetyl-CoA to Acetoacetyl-CoA

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell comprises aheterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme that can condensetwo molecules of acetyl-coenzyme A to form acetoacetyl-CoA, e.g., anacetyl-CoA thiolase. Illustrative examples of nucleotide sequencesencoding such an enzyme include, but are not limited to: (NC_(—)000913REGION: 2324131.2325315; Escherichia coli), (D49362; Paracoccusdenitrificans), and (L20428; Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

Acetyl-CoA thiolase catalyzes the reversible condensation of twomolecules of acetyl-CoA to yield acetoacetyl-CoA, but this reaction isthermodynamically unfavorable; acetoacetyl-CoA thiolysis is favored overacetoacetyl-CoA synthesis. Acetoacetyl-CoA synthase (AACS) (alternatelyreferred to as acetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoA acyltransferase; EC 2.3.1.194)condenses acetyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA. Incontrast to acetyl-CoA thiolase, AACS-catalyzed acetoacetyl-CoAsynthesis is essentially an energy-favored reaction, due to theassociated decarboxylation of malonyl-CoA. In addition, AACS exhibits nothiolysis activity against acetoacetyl-CoA, and thus the reaction isirreversible.

In host cells comprising a heterologous ADA and acetyl-CoA thiolase, thereversible reaction catalyzed by acetyl-CoA thiolase, which favorsacetoacetyl-CoA thiolysis, may result in a large acetyl-CoA pool. Inview of the reversible activity of ADA, this acetyl-CoA pool may in turndrive ADA towards the reverse reaction of converting acetyl-CoA toacetaldehyde, thereby diminishing the benefits provided by ADA towardsacetyl-CoA production. Thus, in some embodiments, in order to provide astrong pull on acetyl-CoA to drive the forward reaction of ADA, the MEVpathway of the genetically modified host cell provided herein utilizesan acetoacetyl-CoA synthase to form acetoacetyl-CoA from acetyl-CoA andmalonyl-CoA.

In some embodiments, the AACS is from Streptomyces sp. strain CL190(Okamura et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107(25):11265-70 (2010).Representative AACS nucleotide sequences of Streptomyces sp. strainCL190 include accession number AB540131.1 and SEQ ID NO:15 as providedherein. Representative AACS protein sequences of Streptomyces sp. strainCL190 include accession numbers D7URV0, BAJ10048 and SEQ ID NO:16 asprovided herein. Other acetoacetyl-CoA synthases useful for thecompositions and methods provided herein include, but are not limitedto, Streptomyces sp. (AB183750; KO-3988 BAD86806); S. anulatus strain9663 (FN178498; CAX48662); Streptomyces sp. KO-3988 (AB212624;BAE78983); Actinoplanes sp. A40644 (AB113568; BAD07381); Streptomycessp. C(NZ_ACEWO10000640; ZP_(—)05511702); Nocardiopsis dassonvillei DSM43111 (NZ_ABUI01000023; ZP_(—)04335288); Mycobacterium ulcerans Agy99(NC_(—)008611; YP_(—)907152); Mycobacterium marinum M (NC_(—)010612;YP_(—)001851502); Streptomyces sp. Mg1 (NZ_DS570501; ZP_(—)05002626);Streptomyces sp. AA4 (NZ_ACEV01000037; ZP_(—)05478992); S. roseosporusNRRL 15998 (NZ_ABYB01000295; ZP_(—)04696763); Streptomyces sp. ACTE(NZ_ADFD01000030; ZP_(—)06275834); S. viridochromogenes DSM 40736(NZ_ACEZ01000031; ZP_(—)05529691); Frankia sp. CcI3 (NC_(—)007777;YP_(—)480101); Nocardia brasiliensis (NC_(—)018681; YP_(—)006812440.1);and Austwickia chelonae (NZ_BAGZ01000005; ZP_(—)10950493.1). Additionalsuitable acetoacetyl-CoA synthases include those described in U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. 2010/0285549 and 2011/0281315, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Acetoacetyl-CoA synthases also useful in the compositions and methodsprovided herein include those molecules which are said to be“derivatives” of any of the acetoacetyl-CoA synthases described herein.Such a “derivative” has the following characteristics: (1) it sharessubstantial homology with any of the acetoacetyl-CoA synthases describedherein; and (2) is capable of catalyzing the irreversible condensationof acetyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA. A derivative ofan acetoacetyl-CoA synthesis said to share “substantial homology” withacetoacetyl-CoA synthase if the amino acid sequences of the derivativeis at least 80%, and more preferably at least 90%, and most preferablyat least 95%, the same as that of acetoacetyl-CoA synthase.

5.2.5.2 Conversion of Acetoacetyl-CoA to HMG-CoA

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a heterologous nucleotidesequence encoding an enzyme that can condense acetoacetyl-CoA withanother molecule of acetyl-CoA to form 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA(HMG-CoA), e.g., a HMG-CoA synthase. Illustrative examples of nucleotidesequences encoding such an enzyme include, but are not limited to:(NC_(—)001145. complement 19061.20536; Saccharomyces cerevisiae),(X96617; Saccharomyces cerevisiae), (X83882; Arabidopsis thaliana),(AB037907; Kitasatospora griseola), (BT007302; Homo sapiens), and(NC_(—)002758, Locus tag SAV2546, GeneID 1122571; Staphylococcusaureus).

5.2.5.3 Conversion of HMG-CoA to Mevalonate

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a heterologous nucleotidesequence encoding an enzyme that can convert HMG-CoA into mevalonate,e.g., a HMG-CoA reductase. In some embodiments, HMG-CoA reductase is anNADH-using hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase-CoA reductase. HMG-CoAreductases (EC 1.1.1.34; EC 1.1.1.88) catalyze the reductive deacylationof (S)-HMG-CoA to (R)-mevalonate, and can be categorized into twoclasses, class I and class II HMGrs. Class I includes the enzymes fromeukaryotes and most archaea, and class II includes the HMG-CoAreductases of certain prokaryotes and archaea. In addition to thedivergence in the sequences, the enzymes of the two classes also differwith regard to their cofactor specificity. Unlike the class I enzymes,which utilize NADPH exclusively, the class II HMG-CoA reductases vary inthe ability to discriminate between NADPH and NADH. See, e.g., Hedl etal., Journal of Bacteriology 186 (7): 1927-1932 (2004). Co-factorspecificities for select class II HMG-CoA reductases are provided below.

TABLE 1 Co-factor specificities for select class II HMG-CoA reductasesSource Coenzyme specificity K_(m) ^(NADPH) (μM) K_(m) ^(NADH) (μM) P.mevalonii NADH 80 A. fulgidus NAD(P)H 500 160 S. aureus NAD(P)H 70 100E. faecalis NADPH 30

Useful HMG-CoA reductases for the compositions and methods providedherein include HMG-CoA reductases that are capable of utilizing NADH asa cofactor, e.g., HMG-CoA reductase from P. mevalonii, A. fulgidus or S.aureus. In particular embodiments, the HMG-CoA reductase is capable ofonly utilizing NADH as a cofactor, e.g., HMG-CoA reductase from P.mevalonii, S. pomeroyi or D. acidovorans.

In some embodiments, the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase is fromPseudomonas mevalonii. The sequence of the wild-type mvaA gene ofPseudomonas mevalonii, which encodes HMG-CoA reductase (E.C. 1.1.1.88),has been previously described. See Beach and Rodwell, J. Bacteriol.171:2994-3001 (1989). Representative mvaA nucleotide sequences ofPseudomonas mevalonii include accession number M24015, and SEQ ID NO: 17as provided herein. Representative HMG-CoA reductase protein sequencesof Pseudomonas mevalonii include accession numbers AAA25837, P13702,MVAA_PSEMV and SEQ ID NO: 18 as provided herein.

In some embodiments, the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase is fromSilicibacter pomeroyi. Representative HMG-CoA reductase nucleotidesequences of Silicibacter pomeroyi include accession numberNC_(—)006569.1, and SEQ ID NO: 19 as provided herein. RepresentativeHMG-CoA reductase protein sequences of Silicibacter pomeroyi includeaccession number YP_(—)164994 and SEQ ID NO: 20 as provided herein.

In some embodiments, the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase is from Delftiaacidovorans. A representative HMG-CoA reductase nucleotide sequences ofDelftia acidovorans includes NC_(—)010002 REGION: complement(319980.321269), and SEQ ID NO: 21 as provided herein. RepresentativeHMG-CoA reductase protein sequences of Delftia acidovorans includeaccession number YP_(—)001561318 and SEQ ID NO: 22 as provided herein.

In some embodiments, the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductases is from Solanumtuberosum (Crane et al., J. Plant Physiol. 159:1301-1307 (2002)).

NADH-using HMG-CoA reductases also useful in the compositions andmethods provided herein include those molecules which are said to be“derivatives” of any of the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductases describedherein, e.g., from P. mevalonii, S. pomeroyi and D. acidovorans. Such a“derivative” has the following characteristics: (1) it sharessubstantial homology with any of the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductasesdescribed herein; and (2) is capable of catalyzing the reductivedeacylation of (S)-HMG-CoA to (R)-mevalonate while preferentially usingNADH as a cofactor. A derivative of an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase issaid to share “substantial homology” with NADH-using HMG-CoA reductaseif the amino acid sequences of the derivative is at least 80%, and morepreferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%, the same asthat of NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase.

As used herein, the phrase “NADH-using” means that the NADH-usingHMG-CoA reductase is selective for NADH over NADPH as a cofactor, forexample, by demonstrating a higher specific activity for NADH than forNADPH. In some embodiments, selectivity for NADH as a cofactor isexpressed as a k_(cat) ^((NADH))/k_(cat) ^((NADPH)) ratio. In someembodiments, the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase has a k_(cat)^((NADH))/k_(cat) ^((NADPH)) ratio of at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 orgreater than 25. In some embodiments, the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductaseuses NADH exclusively. For example, an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase thatuses NADH exclusively displays some activity with NADH supplied as thesole cofactor in vitro (see, e.g., Example 1 and Section 6.1.1.3 below),and displays no detectable activity when NADPH is supplied as the solecofactor. Any method for determining cofactor specificity known in theart can be utilized to identify HMG-CoA reductases having a preferencefor NADH as cofactor, including those described by Kim et al., ProteinScience 9:1226-1234 (2000); and Wilding et al., J. Bacteriol.182(18):5147-52 (2000), the contents of which are hereby incorporated intheir entireties.

In some embodiments, the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase is engineered tobe selective for NADH over NAPDH, for example, through site-directedmutagenesis of the cofactor-binding pocket. Methods for engineeringNADH-selectivity are described in Watanabe et al., Microbiology153:3044-3054 (2007), and methods for determining the cofactorspecificity of HMG-CoA reductases are described in Kim et al., ProteinSci. 9:1226-1234 (2000), the contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entireties.

In some embodiments, the NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase is derived from ahost species that natively comprises a mevalonate degradative pathway,for example, a host species that catabolizes mevalonate as its solecarbon source. Within these embodiments, the NADH-using HMG-CoAreductase, which normally catalyzes the oxidative acylation ofinternalized (R)-mevalonate to (S)-HMG-CoA within its native host cell,is utilized to catalyze the reverse reaction, that is, the reductivedeacylation of (S)-HMG-CoA to (R)-mevalonate, in a genetically modifiedhost cell comprising a mevalonate biosynthetic pathway. Prokaryotescapable of growth on mevalonate as their sole carbon source have beendescribed by: Anderson et al., J. Bacteriol, 171(12):6468-6472 (1989);Beach et al., J. Bacteriol. 171:2994-3001 (1989); Bensch et al., J.Biol. Chem. 245:3755-3762; Fimongnari et al., Biochemistry 4:2086-2090(1965); Siddiqi et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 8:110-113 (1962);Siddiqi et al., J. Bacteriol. 93:207-214 (1967); and Takatsuji et al.,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 110:187-193 (1983), the contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

In some embodiments of the compositions and methods provided herein, thehost cell comprises both a NADH-using HMGr and an NADPH-using HMG-CoAreductase. Illustrative examples of nucleotide sequences encoding anNADPH-using HMG-CoA reductase include, but are not limited to:(NM_(—)206548; Drosophila melanogaster), (NC_(—)002758, Locus tagSAV2545, GeneID 1122570; Staphylococcus aureus), (AB015627; Streptomycessp. KO 3988), (AX128213, providing the sequence encoding a truncatedHMG-CoA reductase; Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and (NC_(—)001145:complement (115734.118898; Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

5.2.5.4 Conversion of Mevalonate to Mevalonate-5-Phosphate

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a heterologous nucleotidesequence encoding an enzyme that can convert mevalonate into mevalonate5-phosphate, e.g., a mevalonate kinase. Illustrative examples ofnucleotide sequences encoding such an enzyme include, but are notlimited to: (L77688; Arabidopsis thaliana), and (X55875; Saccharomycescerevisiae).

5.2.5.5 Conversion of Mevalonate-5-Phosphate toMevalonate-5-Pyrophosphate

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a heterologous nucleotidesequence encoding an enzyme that can convert mevalonate 5-phosphate intomevalonate 5-pyrophosphate, e.g., a phosphomevalonate kinase.Illustrative examples of nucleotide sequences encoding such an enzymeinclude, but are not limited to: (AF429385; Hevea brasiliensis),(NM_(—)006556; Homo sapiens), and (NC_(—)001145. complement712315.713670; Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

5.2.5.6 Conversion of Mevalonate-5-Pyrophosphate to IPP

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a heterologous nucleotidesequence encoding an enzyme that can convert mevalonate 5-pyrophosphateinto isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), e.g., a mevalonate pyrophosphatedecarboxylase. Illustrative examples of nucleotide sequences encodingsuch an enzyme include, but are not limited to: (X97557; Saccharomycescerevisiae), (AF290095; Enterococcus faecium), and (U49260; Homosapiens).

5.2.5.7 Conversion of IPP to DMAPP

In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises a heterologousnucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme that can convert IPP generatedvia the MEV pathway into dimethylallyl pyrophopsphate (DMAPP), e.g., anIPP isomerase. Illustrative examples of nucleotide sequences encodingsuch an enzyme include, but are not limited to: (NC_(—)000913,3031087.3031635; Escherichia coli), and (AF082326; Haematococcuspluvialis).

5.2.5.8 Polyprenyl Synthases

In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises a heterologousnucleotide sequence encoding a polyprenyl synthase that can condense IPPand/or DMAPP molecules to form polyprenyl compounds containing more thanfive carbons.

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a heterologous nucleotidesequence encoding an enzyme that can condense one molecule of IPP withone molecule of DMAPP to form one molecule of geranyl pyrophosphate(“GPP”), e.g., a GPP synthase. Illustrative examples of nucleotidesequences encoding such an enzyme include, but are not limited to:(AF513111; Abies grandis), (AF513112; Abies grandis), (AF513113; Abiesgrandis), (AY534686; Antirrhinum majus), (AY534687; Antirrhinum majus),(Y17376; Arabidopsis thaliana), (AE016877, Locus AP11092; Bacilluscereus; ATCC 14579), (AJ243739; Citrus sinensis), (AY534745; Clarkiabreweri), (AY953508; Ips pini), (DQ286930; Lycopersicon esculentum),(AF182828; Mentha×piperita), (AF182827; Mentha×piperita), (MPI249453;Mentha×piperita), (PZE431697, Locus CAD24425; Paracoccuszeaxanthinifaciens), (AY866498; Picrorhiza kurrooa), (AY351862; Vitisvinifera), and (AF203881, Locus AAF12843; Zymomonas mobilis).

In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a heterologous nucleotidesequence encoding an enzyme that can condense two molecules of IPP withone molecule of DMAPP, or add a molecule of IPP to a molecule of GPP, toform a molecule of farnesyl pyrophosphate (“FPP”), e.g., a FPP synthase.Illustrative examples of nucleotide sequences that encode such an enzymeinclude, but are not limited to: (ATU80605; Arabidopsis thaliana),(ATHFPS2R; Arabidopsis thaliana), (AAU36376; Artemisia annua),(AF461050; Bos taurus), (D00694; Escherichia coli K-12), (AE009951,Locus AAL95523; Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum ATCC 25586),(GFFPPSGEN; Gibberella fujikuroi), (CP000009, Locus AAW60034;Gluconobacter oxydans 621H), (AF019892; Helianthus annuus), (HUMFAPS;Homo sapiens), (KLPFPSQCR; Kluyveromyces lactis), (LAU15777; Lupinusalbus), (LAU20771; Lupinus albus), (AF309508; Mus musculus), (NCFPPSGEN;Neurospora crassa), (PAFPS1; Parthenium argentatum), (PAFPS2; Partheniumargentatum), (RATFAPS; Rattus norvegicus), (YSCFPP; Saccharomycescerevisiae), (D89104; Schizosaccharomyces pombe), (CP000003, LocusAAT87386; Streptococcus pyogenes), (CP000017, Locus AAZ51849;Streptococcus pyogenes), (NC_(—)008022, Locus YP_(—)598856;Streptococcus pyogenes MGAS10270), (NC_(—)008023, Locus YP_(—)600845;Streptococcus pyogenes MGAS2096), (NC_(—)008024, Locus YP_(—)602832;Streptococcus pyogenes MGAS10750), (MZEFPS; Zea mays), (AE000657, LocusAAC06913; Aquifex aeolicus VF5), (NM_(—)202836; Arabidopsis thaliana),(D84432, Locus BAA12575; Bacillus subtilis), (U12678, Locus AAC28894;Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110), (BACFDPS; Geobacillusstearothermophilus), (NC_(—)002940, Locus NP_(—)873754; Haemophilusducreyi 35000HP), (L42023, Locus AAC23087; Haemophilus influenzae RdKW20), (J05262; Homo sapiens), (YP_(—)395294; Lactobacillus sakei subsp.sakei 23K), (NC_(—)005823, Locus YP_(—)000273; Leptospira interrogansserovar Copenhageni str. Fiocruz L1-130), (AB003187; Micrococcusluteus), (NC_(—)002946, Locus YP_(—)208768; Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA1090), (U00090, Locus AAB91752; Rhizobium sp. NGR234), (J05091;Saccharomyces cerevisae), (CP000031, Locus AAV93568; Silicibacterpomeroyi DSS-3), (AE008481, Locus AAK99890; Streptococcus pneumoniaeR6), and (NC_(—)004556, Locus NP 779706; Xylella fastidiosa Temecula1).

In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises a heterologousnucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme that can combine IPP and DMAPP orIPP and FPP to form geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (“GGPP”). Illustrativeexamples of nucleotide sequences that encode such an enzyme include, butare not limited to: (ATHGERPYRS; Arabidopsis thaliana), (BT005328;Arabidopsis thaliana), (NM_(—)119845; Arabidopsis thaliana),(NZ_AAJM01000380, Locus ZP_(—)00743052; Bacillus thuringiensis serovarisraelensis, ATCC 35646 sq1563), (CRGGPPS; Catharanthus roseus),(NZ_AABF02000074, Locus ZP_(—)00144509; Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp.vincentii, ATCC 49256), (GFGGPPSGN; Gibberella fujikuroi), (AY371321;Ginkgo biloba), (AB055496; Hevea brasiliensis), (AB017971; Homosapiens), (MCI276129; Mucor circinelloides f. lusitanicus), (AB016044;Mus musculus), (AABX01000298, Locus NCU01427; Neurospora crassa),(NCU20940; Neurospora crassa), (NZ_AAKL01000008, Locus ZP_(—)00943566;Ralstonia solanacearum UW551), (AB118238; Rattus norvegicus), (SCU31632;Saccharomyces cerevisiae), (AB016095; Synechococcus elongates), (SAGGPS;Sinapis alba), (SSOGDS; Sulfolobus acidocaldarius), (NC_(—)007759, LocusYP_(—)461832; Syntrophus aciditrophicus SB), (NC_(—)006840, LocusYP_(—)204095; Vibrio fischeri ES114), (NM_(—)112315; Arabidopsisthaliana), (ERWCRTE; Pantoea agglomerans), (D90087, Locus BAA14124;Pantoea ananatis), (X52291, Locus CAA36538; Rhodobacter capsulatus),(AF195122, Locus AAF24294; Rhodobacter sphaeroides), and (NC_(—)004350,Locus NP 721015; Streptococcus mutans UA159).

5.2.5.9 Terpene Synthases

In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises a heterologousnucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme that can modify a polyprenyl toform a hemiterpene, a monoterpene, a sesquiterpene, a diterpene, atriterpene, a tetraterpene, a polyterpene, a steroid compound, acarotenoid, or a modified isoprenoid compound.

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a carenesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to: (AF461460, REGION 43.1926; Picea abies)and (AF527416, REGION: 78.1871; Salvia stenophylla).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a geraniolsynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to: (AJ457070; Cinnamomum tenuipilum),(AY362553; Ocimum basilicum), (DQ234300; Perilla frutescens strain1864), (DQ234299; Perilla citriodora strain 1861), (DQ234298; Perillacitriodora strain 4935), and (DQ088667; Perilla citriodora).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a linaloolsynthase. Illustrative examples of a suitable nucleotide sequenceinclude, but are not limited to: (AF497485; Arabidopsis thaliana),(AC002294, Locus AAB71482; Arabidopsis thaliana), (AY059757; Arabidopsisthaliana), (NM_(—)104793; Arabidopsis thaliana), (AF154124; Artemisiaannua), (AF067603; Clarkia breweri), (AF067602; Clarkia concinna),(AF067601; Clarkia breweri), (U58314; Clarkia breweri), (AY840091;Lycopersicon esculentum), (DQ263741; Lavandula angustifolia), (AY083653;Mentha citrate), (AY693647; Ocimum basilicum), (XM_(—)463918; Oryzasativa), (AP004078, Locus BAD07605; Oryza sativa), (XM_(—)463918, LocusXP 463918; Oryza sativa), (AY917193; Perilla citriodora), (AF271259;Perilla frutescens), (AY473623; Picea abies), (DQ195274; Piceasitchensis), and (AF444798; Perilla frutescens var. crispa cultivar No.79).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a limonenesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to: (+)-limonene synthases (AF514287,REGION: 47.1867; Citrus limon) and (AY055214, REGION: 48.1889; Agastacherugosa) and (−)-limonene synthases (DQ195275, REGION: 1.1905; Piceasitchensis), (AF006193, REGION: 73.1986; Abies grandis), and (MHC4SLSP,REGION: 29.1828; Mentha spicata).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a myrcenesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to: (U87908; Abies grandis), (AY195609;Antirrhinum majus), (AY195608; Antirrhinum majus), (NM_(—)127982;Arabidopsis thaliana TPS10), (NM_(—)113485; Arabidopsis thalianaATTPS-CIN), (NM_(—)113483; Arabidopsis thaliana ATTPS-CIN), (AF271259;Perilla frutescens), (AY473626; Picea abies), (AF369919; Picea abies),and (AJ304839; Quercus ilex).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a ocimenesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to: (AY195607; Antirrhinum majus),(AY195609; Antirrhinum majus), (AY195608; Antirrhinum majus), (AK221024;Arabidopsis thaliana), (NM_(—)113485; Arabidopsis thaliana ATTPS-CIN),(NM_(—)113483; Arabidopsis thaliana ATTPS-CIN), (NM_(—)117775;Arabidopsis thaliana ATTPS03), (NM_(—)001036574; Arabidopsis thalianaATTPS03), (NM_(—)127982; Arabidopsis thaliana TPS10), (AB110642; Citrusunshiu CitMTSL4), and (AY575970; Lotus corniculatus var. japonicus).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes an α-pinenesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to: (+) α-pinene synthase (AF543530,REGION: 1.1887; Pinus taeda), (−)α-pinene synthase (AF543527, REGION:32.1921; Pinus taeda), and (+)/(−)α-pinene synthase (AGU87909, REGION:6111892; Abies grandis).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a β-pinenesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to: (−)β-pinene synthases (AF276072,REGION: 1.1749; Artemisia annua) and (AF514288, REGION: 26.1834; Citruslimon).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a sabinenesynthase. An illustrative example of a suitable nucleotide sequenceincludes but is not limited to AF051901, REGION: 26.1798 from Salviaofficinalis.

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a γ-terpinenesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude: (AF514286, REGION: 30.1832 from Citrus limon) and (AB110640,REGION 1.1803 from Citrus unshiu).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a terpinolenesynthase. Illustrative examples of a suitable nucleotide sequenceinclude, but are not limited to: (AY693650 from Oscimum basilicum) and(AY906866, REGION: 10.1887 from Pseudotsuga menziesii).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes an amorphadienesynthase. An illustrative example of a suitable nucleotide sequence isSEQ ID NO. 37 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0005678.

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a α-farnesenesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to DQ309034 from Pyrus communis cultivard'Anjou (pear; gene name AFS1) and AY182241 from Malus domestica (apple;gene AFS1). Pechouus et al., Planta 219(1):84-94 (2004).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a β-farnesenesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequences includebut is not limited to accession number AF024615 from Mentha×piperita(peppermint; gene Tspa11), and AY835398 from Artemisia annua. Picaud etal., Phytochemistry 66(9): 961-967 (2005).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a farnesolsynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to accession number AF529266 from Zea maysand YDR481c from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (gene Pho8). Song, L., AppliedBiochemistry and Biotechnology 128:149-158 (2006).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a nerolidolsynthase. An illustrative example of a suitable nucleotide sequenceincludes, but is not limited to AF529266 from Zea mays (maize; genetps1).

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a patchouliolsynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to AY508730 REGION: 1.1659 from Pogostemoncablin.

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes a nootkatonesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to AF441124 REGION: 1.1647 from Citrussinensis and AY917195 REGION: 1.1653 from Perilla frutescens.

In some embodiments, the heterologous nucleotide encodes an abietadienesynthase. Illustrative examples of suitable nucleotide sequencesinclude, but are not limited to: (U50768; Abies grandis) and (AY473621;Picea abies).

In some embodiments, the host cell produces a C₅ isoprenoid. Thesecompounds are derived from one isoprene unit and are also calledhemiterpenes. An illustrative example of a hemiterpene is isoprene. Inother embodiments, the isoprenoid is a C₁₀ isoprenoid. These compoundsare derived from two isoprene units and are also called monoterpenes.Illustrative examples of monoterpenes are limonene, citranellol,geraniol, menthol, perillyl alcohol, linalool, thujone, and myrcene. Inother embodiments, the isoprenoid is a C₁₅ isoprenoid. These compoundsare derived from three isoprene units and are also calledsesquiterpenes. Illustrative examples of sesquiterpenes are periplanoneB, gingkolide B, amorphadiene, artemisinin, artemisinic acid, valencene,nootkatone, epi-cedrol, epi-aristolochene, farnesol, gossypol, sanonin,periplanone, forskolin, and patchoulol (which is also known as patchoulialcohol). In other embodiments, the isoprenoid is a C₂₀ isoprenoid.These compounds are derived from four isoprene units and also calledditerpenes. Illustrative examples of diterpenes are casbene,eleutherobin, paclitaxel, prostratin, pseudopterosin, and taxadiene. Inyet other examples, the isoprenoid is a C₂₀₊ isoprenoid. These compoundsare derived from more than four isoprene units and include: triterpenes(C₃₀ isoprenoid compounds derived from 6 isoprene units) such asarbrusideE, bruceantin, testosterone, progesterone, cortisone,digitoxin, and squalene; tetraterpenes (C₄₀ isoprenoid compounds derivedfrom 8 isoprenoids) such as β-carotene; and polyterpenes (C₄₀₊isoprenoid compounds derived from more than 8 isoprene units) such aspolyisoprene. In some embodiments, the isoprenoid is selected from thegroup consisting of abietadiene, amorphadiene, carene, α-farnesene,β-farnesene, farnesol, geraniol, geranylgeraniol, isoprene, linalool,limonene, myrcene, nerolidol, ocimene, patchoulol, β-pinene, sabinene,γ-terpinene, terpinolene and valencene. Isoprenoid compounds alsoinclude, but are not limited to, carotenoids (such as lycopene, α- andβ-carotene, α- and β-cryptoxanthin, bixin, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, andlutein), steroid compounds, and compounds that are composed ofisoprenoids modified by other chemical groups, such as mixedterpene-alkaloids, and coenzyme Q-10.

5.3 Methods of Making Genetically Modified Cells

Also provided herein are methods for producing a host cell that isgenetically engineered to comprise one or more of the modificationsdescribed above, e.g., one or more nucleic heterologous nucleic acidsencoding one or more enzymes selected from ADA, NADH-using HMG-CoAreductase, AACS, PK, PTA, and other mevalonate pathway enzymes.Expression of a heterologous enzyme in a host cell can be accomplishedby introducing into the host cells a nucleic acid comprising anucleotide sequence encoding the enzyme under the control of regulatoryelements that permit expression in the host cell. In some embodiments,the nucleic acid is an extrachromosomal plasmid. In other embodiments,the nucleic acid is a chromosomal integration vector that can integratethe nucleotide sequence into the chromosome of the host cell.

Nucleic acids encoding these proteins can be introduced into the hostcell by any method known to one of skill in the art without limitation(see, for example, Hinnen et al. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA75:1292-3; Cregg et al. (1985) Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:3376-3385; Goeddel etal. eds, 1990, Methods in Enzymology, vol. 185, Academic Press, Inc.,CA; Krieger, 1990, Gene Transfer and Expression—A Laboratory Manual,Stockton Press, NY; Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning—ALaboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY; and Ausubel etal., eds., Current Edition, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology,Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, NY). Exemplarytechniques include, but are not limited to, spheroplasting,electroporation, PEG 1000 mediated transformation, and lithium acetateor lithium chloride mediated transformation.

The copy number of an enzyme in a host cell may be altered by modifyingthe transcription of the gene that encodes the enzyme. This can beachieved for example by modifying the copy number of the nucleotidesequence encoding the enzyme (e.g., by using a higher or lower copynumber expression vector comprising the nucleotide sequence, or byintroducing additional copies of the nucleotide sequence into the genomeof the host cell or by deleting or disrupting the nucleotide sequence inthe genome of the host cell), by changing the order of coding sequenceson a polycistronic mRNA of an operon or breaking up an operon intoindividual genes each with its own control elements, or by increasingthe strength of the promoter or operator to which the nucleotidesequence is operably linked. Alternatively or in addition, the copynumber of an enzyme in a host cell may be altered by modifying the levelof translation of an mRNA that encodes the enzyme. This can be achievedfor example by modifying the stability of the mRNA, modifying thesequence of the ribosome binding site, modifying the distance orsequence between the ribosome binding site and the start codon of theenzyme coding sequence, modifying the entire intercistronic regionlocated “upstream of” or adjacent to the 5′ side of the start codon ofthe enzyme coding region, stabilizing the 3′-end of the mRNA transcriptusing hairpins and specialized sequences, modifying the codon usage ofenzyme, altering expression of rare codon tRNAs used in the biosynthesisof the enzyme, and/or increasing the stability of the enzyme, as, forexample, via mutation of its coding sequence.

The activity of an enzyme in a host cell can be altered in a number ofways, including, but not limited to, expressing a modified form of theenzyme that exhibits increased or decreased solubility in the host cell,expressing an altered form of the enzyme that lacks a domain throughwhich the activity of the enzyme is inhibited, expressing a modifiedform of the enzyme that has a higher or lower Kcat or a lower or higherKm for the substrate, or expressing an altered form of the enzyme thatis more or less affected by feed-back or feed-forward regulation byanother molecule in the pathway.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid used to genetically modify a hostcell comprises one or more selectable markers useful for the selectionof transformed host cells and for placing selective pressure on the hostcell to maintain the foreign DNA.

In some embodiments, the selectable marker is an antibiotic resistancemarker. Illustrative examples of antibiotic resistance markers include,but are not limited to, the BLA, NAT1, PAT, AUR1-C, PDR4, SMR1, CAT,mouse dhfr, HPH, DSDA, KAN^(R), and SH BLE gene products. The BLA geneproduct from E. coli confers resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics(e.g., narrow-spectrum cephalosporins, cephamycins, and carbapenems(ertapenem), cefamandole, and cefoperazone) and to all theanti-gram-negative-bacterium penicillins except temocillin; the NAT1gene product from S. noursei confers resistance to nourseothricin; thePAT gene product from S. viridochromogenes Tu94 confers resistance tobialophos; the AUR1-C gene product from Saccharomyces cerevisiae confersresistance to Auerobasidin A (AbA); the PDR4 gene product confersresistance to cerulenin; the SMR1 gene product confers resistance tosulfometuron methyl; the CAT gene product from Tn9 transposon confersresistance to chloramphenicol; the mouse dhfr gene product confersresistance to methotrexate; the HPH gene product of Klebsiella pneumoniaconfers resistance to Hygromycin B; the DSDA gene product of E. coliallows cells to grow on plates with D-serine as the sole nitrogensource; the KAN^(R) gene of the Tn903 transposon confers resistance toG418; and the SH BLE gene product from Streptoalloteichus hindustanusconfers resistance to Zeocin (bleomycin). In some embodiments, theantibiotic resistance marker is deleted after the genetically modifiedhost cell disclosed herein is isolated.

In some embodiments, the selectable marker rescues an auxotrophy (e.g.,a nutritional auxotrophy) in the genetically modified microorganism. Insuch embodiments, a parent microorganism comprises a functionaldisruption in one or more gene products that function in an amino acidor nucleotide biosynthetic pathway and that when non-functional rendersa parent cell incapable of growing in media without supplementation withone or more nutrients. Such gene products include, but are not limitedto, the HIS3, LEU2, LYS1, LYS2, MET15, TRP1, ADE2, and URA3 geneproducts in yeast. The auxotrophic phenotype can then be rescued bytransforming the parent cell with an expression vector or chromosomalintegration construct encoding a functional copy of the disrupted geneproduct, and the genetically modified host cell generated can beselected for based on the loss of the auxotrophic phenotype of theparent cell. Utilization of the URA3, TRP1, and LYS2 genes as selectablemarkers has a marked advantage because both positive and negativeselections are possible. Positive selection is carried out byauxotrophic complementation of the URA3, TRP1, and LYS2 mutations,whereas negative selection is based on specific inhibitors, i.e.,5-fluoro-orotic acid (FOA), 5-fluoroanthranilic acid, and aminoadipicacid (aAA), respectively, that prevent growth of the prototrophicstrains but allows growth of the URA3, TRP1, and LYS2 mutants,respectively. In other embodiments, the selectable marker rescues othernon-lethal deficiencies or phenotypes that can be identified by a knownselection method.

Described herein are specific genes and proteins useful in the methods,compositions and organisms of the disclosure; however it will berecognized that absolute identity to such genes is not necessary. Forexample, changes in a particular gene or polynucleotide comprising asequence encoding a polypeptide or enzyme can be performed and screenedfor activity. Typically such changes comprise conservative mutations andsilent mutations. Such modified or mutated polynucleotides andpolypeptides can be screened for expression of a functional enzyme usingmethods known in the art.

Due to the inherent degeneracy of the genetic code, otherpolynucleotides which encode substantially the same or functionallyequivalent polypeptides can also be used to clone and express thepolynucleotides encoding such enzymes.

As will be understood by those of skill in the art, it can beadvantageous to modify a coding sequence to enhance its expression in aparticular host. The genetic code is redundant with 64 possible codons,but most organisms typically use a subset of these codons. The codonsthat are utilized most often in a species are called optimal codons, andthose not utilized very often are classified as rare or low-usagecodons. Codons can be substituted to reflect the preferred codon usageof the host, in a process sometimes called “codon optimization” or“controlling for species codon bias.”

Optimized coding sequences containing codons preferred by a particularprokaryotic or eukaryotic host (Murray et al., 1989, Nucl Acids Res. 17:477-508) can be prepared, for example, to increase the rate oftranslation or to produce recombinant RNA transcripts having desirableproperties, such as a longer half-life, as compared with transcriptsproduced from a non-optimized sequence. Translation stop codons can alsobe modified to reflect host preference. For example, typical stop codonsfor S. cerevisiae and mammals are UAA and UGA, respectively. The typicalstop codon for monocotyledonous plants is UGA, whereas insects and E.coli commonly use UAA as the stop codon (Dalphin et al., 1996, NuclAcids Res. 24: 216-8).

Those of skill in the art will recognize that, due to the degeneratenature of the genetic code, a variety of DNA molecules differing intheir nucleotide sequences can be used to encode a given enzyme of thedisclosure. The native DNA sequence encoding the biosynthetic enzymesdescribed above are referenced herein merely to illustrate an embodimentof the disclosure, and the disclosure includes DNA molecules of anysequence that encode the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides andproteins of the enzymes utilized in the methods of the disclosure. Insimilar fashion, a polypeptide can typically tolerate one or more aminoacid substitutions, deletions, and insertions in its amino acid sequencewithout loss or significant loss of a desired activity. The disclosureincludes such polypeptides with different amino acid sequences than thespecific proteins described herein so long as the modified or variantpolypeptides have the enzymatic anabolic or catabolic activity of thereference polypeptide. Furthermore, the amino acid sequences encoded bythe DNA sequences shown herein merely illustrate embodiments of thedisclosure.

In addition, homologs of enzymes useful for the compositions and methodsprovided herein are encompassed by the disclosure. In some embodiments,two proteins (or a region of the proteins) are substantially homologouswhen the amino acid sequences have at least about 30%, 40%, 50% 60%,65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or99% identity. To determine the percent identity of two amino acidsequences, or of two nucleic acid sequences, the sequences are alignedfor optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in one orboth of a first and a second amino acid or nucleic acid sequence foroptimal alignment and non-homologous sequences can be disregarded forcomparison purposes). In one embodiment, the length of a referencesequence aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, typically atleast 40%, more typically at least 50%, even more typically at least60%, and even more typically at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% of the lengthof the reference sequence. The amino acid residues or nucleotides atcorresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are thencompared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the sameamino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in thesecond sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position (asused herein amino acid or nucleic acid “identity” is equivalent to aminoacid or nucleic acid “homology”). The percent identity between the twosequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared bythe sequences, taking into account the number of gaps, and the length ofeach gap, which need to be introduced for optimal alignment of the twosequences.

When “homologous” is used in reference to proteins or peptides, it isrecognized that residue positions that are not identical often differ byconservative amino acid substitutions. A “conservative amino acidsubstitution” is one in which an amino acid residue is substituted byanother amino acid residue having a side chain (R group) with similarchemical properties (e.g., charge or hydrophobicity). In general, aconservative amino acid substitution will not substantially change thefunctional properties of a protein. In cases where two or more aminoacid sequences differ from each other by conservative substitutions, thepercent sequence identity or degree of homology may be adjusted upwardsto correct for the conservative nature of the substitution. Means formaking this adjustment are well known to those of skill in the art (See,e.g., Pearson W. R., 1994, Methods in Mol Biol 25: 365-89).

The following six groups each contain amino acids that are conservativesubstitutions for one another: 1) Serine (S), Threonine (T); 2) AsparticAcid (D), Glutamic Acid (E); 3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q); 4)Arginine (R), Lysine (K); 5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Alanine (A),Valine (V), and 6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W).

Sequence homology for polypeptides, which is also referred to as percentsequence identity, is typically measured using sequence analysissoftware. A typical algorithm used comparing a molecule sequence to adatabase containing a large number of sequences from different organismsis the computer program BLAST. When searching a database containingsequences from a large number of different organisms, it is typical tocompare amino acid sequences.

Furthermore, any of the genes encoding the foregoing enzymes (or anyothers mentioned herein (or any of the regulatory elements that controlor modulate expression thereof)) may be optimized by genetic/proteinengineering techniques, such as directed evolution or rationalmutagenesis, which are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Suchaction allows those of ordinary skill in the art to optimize the enzymesfor expression and activity in yeast.

In addition, genes encoding these enzymes can be identified from otherfungal and bacterial species and can be expressed for the modulation ofthis pathway. A variety of organisms could serve as sources for theseenzymes, including, but not limited to, Saccharomyces spp., including S.cerevisiae and S. uvarum, Kluyveromyces spp., including K.thermotolerans, K. lactis, and K. marxianus, Pichia spp., Hansenulaspp., including H. polymorphs, Candida spp., Trichosporon spp.,Yamadazyma spp., including Y. spp. stipitis, Torulaspora pretoriensis,Issatchenkia orientalis, Schizosaccharomyces spp., including S. pombe,Cryptococcus spp., Aspergillus spp., Neurospora spp., or Ustilago spp.Sources of genes from anaerobic fungi include, but are not limited to,Piromyces spp., Orpinomyces spp., or Neocallimastix spp. Sources ofprokaryotic enzymes that are useful include, but are not limited to,Escherichia. coli, Zymomonas mobilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillusspp., Clostridium spp., Corynebacterium spp., Pseudomonas spp.,Lactococcus spp., Enterobacter spp., and Salmonella spp.

Techniques known to those skilled in the art may be suitable to identifyadditional homologous genes and homologous enzymes. Generally, analogousgenes and/or analogous enzymes can be identified by functional analysisand will have functional similarities. Techniques known to those skilledin the art may be suitable to identify analogous genes and analogousenzymes. For example, to identify homologous or analogous ADA genes,proteins, or enzymes, techniques may include, but are not limited to,cloning a gene by PCR using primers based on a published sequence of anADA gene/enzyme or by degenerate PCR using degenerate primers designedto amplify a conserved region among ADA genes. Further, one skilled inthe art can use techniques to identify homologous or analogous genes,proteins, or enzymes with functional homology or similarity. Techniquesinclude examining a cell or cell culture for the catalytic activity ofan enzyme through in vitro enzyme assays for said activity (e.g. asdescribed herein or in Kiritani, K., Branched-Chain Amino Acids MethodsEnzymology, 1970), then isolating the enzyme with said activity throughpurification, determining the protein sequence of the enzyme throughtechniques such as Edman degradation, design of PCR primers to thelikely nucleic acid sequence, amplification of said DNA sequence throughPCR, and cloning of said nucleic acid sequence. To identify homologousor similar genes and/or homologous or similar enzymes, analogous genesand/or analogous enzymes or proteins, techniques also include comparisonof data concerning a candidate gene or enzyme with databases such asBRENDA, KEGG, or MetaCYC. The candidate gene or enzyme may be identifiedwithin the above mentioned databases in accordance with the teachingsherein.

5.4 Methods of Producing Isoprenoids

In another aspect, provided herein is a method for the production of anisoprenoid, the method comprising the steps of: (a) culturing apopulation of any of the genetically modified host cells describedherein in a medium with a carbon source under conditions suitable formaking an isoprenoid compound; and (b) recovering said isoprenoidcompound from the medium.

In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell comprises one ormore modifications selected from the group consisting of: heterologousexpression of an ADA, heterologous expression of an NADH-using HMG-CoAreductase, heterologous expression of an AACS, heterologous expressionof a phosphoketolase, heterologous expression of aphosphotrancacetylase, and heterologous expression of one or moreenzymes of the mevalonate pathway; and the genetically modified hostcell produces an increased amount of the isoprenoid compound compared toa parent cell not comprising the one or more modifications, or a parentcell comprising only a subset of the one or more modifications of thegenetically modified host cell, but is otherwise genetically identical.In some embodiments, the increased amount is at least 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%,20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,90%, 95%, 100% or greater than 100%, as measured, for example, in yield,production, productivity, in grams per liter of cell culture, milligramsper gram of dry cell weight, on a per unit volume of cell culture basis,on a per unit dry cell weight basis, on a per unit volume of cellculture per unit time basis, or on a per unit dry cell weight per unittime basis.

In some embodiments, the host cell produces an elevated level ofisoprenoid that is greater than about 10 grams per liter of fermentationmedium. In some such embodiments, the isoprenoid is produced in anamount from about 10 to about 50 grams, more than about 15 grams, morethan about 20 grams, more than about 25 grams, or more than about 30grams per liter of cell culture.

In some embodiments, the host cell produces an elevated level ofisoprenoid that is greater than about 50 milligrams per gram of dry cellweight. In some such embodiments, the isoprenoid is produced in anamount from about 50 to about 1500 milligrams, more than about 100milligrams, more than about 150 milligrams, more than about 200milligrams, more than about 250 milligrams, more than about 500milligrams, more than about 750 milligrams, or more than about 1000milligrams per gram of dry cell weight.

In some embodiments, the host cell produces an elevated level ofisoprenoid that is at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at leastabout 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%,at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at leastabout 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%,at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 5-fold,at least about 10-fold, at least about 20-fold, at least about 30-fold,at least about 40-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 75-fold,at least about 100-fold, at least about 200-fold, at least about300-fold, at least about 400-fold, at least about 500-fold, or at leastabout 1.000-fold, or more, higher than the level of isoprenoid producedby a parent cell, on a per unit volume of cell culture basis.

In some embodiments, the host cell produces an elevated level ofisoprenoid that is at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at leastabout 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%,at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at leastabout 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%,at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 5-fold,at least about 10-fold, at least about 20-fold, at least about 30-fold,at least about 40-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 75-fold,at least about 100-fold, at least about 200-fold, at least about300-fold, at least about 400-fold, at least about 500-fold, or at leastabout 1.000-fold, or more, higher than the level of isoprenoid producedby the parent cell, on a per unit dry cell weight basis.

In some embodiments, the host cell produces an elevated level of anisoprenoid that is at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at leastabout 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%,at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at leastabout 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%,at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 5-fold,at least about 10-fold, at least about 20-fold, at least about 30-fold,at least about 40-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 75-fold,at least about 100-fold, at least about 200-fold, at least about300-fold, at least about 400-fold, at least about 500-fold, or at leastabout 1.000-fold, or more, higher than the level of isoprenoid producedby the parent cell, on a per unit volume of cell culture per unit timebasis.

In some embodiments, the host cell produces an elevated isoprenoid thatis at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at leastabout 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%,at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at leastabout 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about2-fold, at least about 2. 5-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about10-fold, at least about 20-fold, at least about 30-fold, at least about40-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 75-fold, at least about100-fold, at least about 200-fold, at least about 300-fold, at leastabout 400-fold, at least about 500-fold, or at least about 1.000-fold,or more, higher than the level of isoprenoid produced by the parentcell, on a per unit dry cell weight per unit time basis.

In most embodiments, the production of the elevated level of isoprenoidby the host cell is inducible by an inducing compound. Such a host cellcan be manipulated with ease in the absence of the inducing compound.The inducing compound is then added to induce the production of theelevated level of isoprenoid by the host cell. In other embodiments,production of the elevated level of isoprenoid by the host cell isinducible by changing culture conditions, such as, for example, thegrowth temperature, media constituents, and the like.

5.4.1 Culture Media and Conditions

Materials and methods for the maintenance and growth of microbialcultures are well known to those skilled in the art of microbiology orfermentation science (see, for example, Bailey et al., BiochemicalEngineering Fundamentals, second edition, McGraw Hill, New York, 1986).Consideration must be given to appropriate culture medium, pH,temperature, and requirements for aerobic, microaerobic, or anaerobicconditions, depending on the specific requirements of the host cell, thefermentation, and the process.

The methods of producing isoprenoids provided herein may be performed ina suitable culture medium (e.g., with or without pantothenatesupplementation) in a suitable container, including but not limited to acell culture plate, a flask, or a fermentor. Further, the methods can beperformed at any scale of fermentation known in the art to supportindustrial production of microbial products. Any suitable fermentor maybe used including a stirred tank fermentor, an airlift fermentor, abubble fermentor, or any combination thereof. In particular embodimentsutilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the host cell, strains can begrown in a fermentor as described in detail by Kosaric, et al, inUllmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Sixth Edition, Volume12, pages 398-473, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KDaA, Weinheim, Germany.

In some embodiments, the culture medium is any culture medium in which agenetically modified microorganism capable of producing an isoprenoidcan subsist, i.e., maintain growth and viability. In some embodiments,the culture medium is an aqueous medium comprising assimilable carbon,nitrogen and phosphate sources. Such a medium can also includeappropriate salts, minerals, metals and other nutrients. In someembodiments, the carbon source and each of the essential cell nutrients,are added incrementally or continuously to the fermentation media, andeach required nutrient is maintained at essentially the minimum levelneeded for efficient assimilation by growing cells, for example, inaccordance with a predetermined cell growth curve based on the metabolicor respiratory function of the cells which convert the carbon source toa biomass.

Suitable conditions and suitable media for culturing microorganisms arewell known in the art. In some embodiments, the suitable medium issupplemented with one or more additional agents, such as, for example,an inducer (e.g., when one or more nucleotide sequences encoding a geneproduct are under the control of an inducible promoter), a repressor(e.g., when one or more nucleotide sequences encoding a gene product areunder the control of a repressible promoter), or a selection agent(e.g., an antibiotic to select for microorganisms comprising the geneticmodifications).

In some embodiments, the carbon source is a monosaccharide (simplesugar), a disaccharide, a polysaccharide, a non-fermentable carbonsource, or one or more combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable monosaccharides include glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose,ribose, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitabledisaccharides include sucrose, lactose, maltose, trehalose, cellobiose,and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitablepolysaccharides include starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin, andcombinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable non-fermentablecarbon sources include acetate and glycerol.

The concentration of a carbon source, such as glucose, in the culturemedium should promote cell growth, but not be so high as to repressgrowth of the microorganism used. Typically, cultures are run with acarbon source, such as glucose, being added at levels to achieve thedesired level of growth and biomass, but at undetectable levels (withdetection limits being about <0.1 g/l). In other embodiments, theconcentration of a carbon source, such as glucose, in the culture mediumis greater than about 1 g/L, preferably greater than about 2 g/L, andmore preferably greater than about 5 g/L. In addition, the concentrationof a carbon source, such as glucose, in the culture medium is typicallyless than about 100 g/L, preferably less than about 50 g/L, and morepreferably less than about 20 g/L. It should be noted that references toculture component concentrations can refer to both initial and/orongoing component concentrations. In some cases, it may be desirable toallow the culture medium to become depleted of a carbon source duringculture.

Sources of assimilable nitrogen that can be used in a suitable culturemedium include, but are not limited to, simple nitrogen sources, organicnitrogen sources and complex nitrogen sources. Such nitrogen sourcesinclude anhydrous ammonia, ammonium salts and substances of animal,vegetable and/or microbial origin. Suitable nitrogen sources include,but are not limited to, protein hydrolysates, microbial biomasshydrolysates, peptone, yeast extract, ammonium sulfate, urea, and aminoacids. Typically, the concentration of the nitrogen sources, in theculture medium is greater than about 0.1 g/L, preferably greater thanabout 0.25 g/L, and more preferably greater than about 1.0 g/L. Beyondcertain concentrations, however, the addition of a nitrogen source tothe culture medium is not advantageous for the growth of themicroorganisms. As a result, the concentration of the nitrogen sources,in the culture medium is less than about 20 g/L, preferably less thanabout 10 g/L and more preferably less than about 5 g/L. Further, in someinstances it may be desirable to allow the culture medium to becomedepleted of the nitrogen sources during culture.

The effective culture medium can contain other compounds such asinorganic salts, vitamins, trace metals or growth promoters. Such othercompounds can also be present in carbon, nitrogen or mineral sources inthe effective medium or can be added specifically to the medium.

The culture medium can also contain a suitable phosphate source. Suchphosphate sources include both inorganic and organic phosphate sources.Preferred phosphate sources include, but are not limited to, phosphatesalts such as mono or dibasic sodium and potassium phosphates, ammoniumphosphate and mixtures thereof. Typically, the concentration ofphosphate in the culture medium is greater than about 1.0 g/L,preferably greater than about 2.0 g/L and more preferably greater thanabout 5.0 g/L. Beyond certain concentrations, however, the addition ofphosphate to the culture medium is not advantageous for the growth ofthe microorganisms. Accordingly, the concentration of phosphate in theculture medium is typically less than about 20 g/L, preferably less thanabout 15 g/L and more preferably less than about 10 g/L.

A suitable culture medium can also include a source of magnesium,preferably in the form of a physiologically acceptable salt, such asmagnesium sulfate heptahydrate, although other magnesium sources inconcentrations that contribute similar amounts of magnesium can be used.Typically, the concentration of magnesium in the culture medium isgreater than about 0.5 g/L, preferably greater than about 1.0 g/L, andmore preferably greater than about 2.0 g/L. Beyond certainconcentrations, however, the addition of magnesium to the culture mediumis not advantageous for the growth of the microorganisms. Accordingly,the concentration of magnesium in the culture medium is typically lessthan about 10 g/L, preferably less than about 5 g/L, and more preferablyless than about 3 g/L. Further, in some instances it may be desirable toallow the culture medium to become depleted of a magnesium source duringculture.

In some embodiments, the culture medium can also include a biologicallyacceptable chelating agent, such as the dihydrate of trisodium citrate.In such instance, the concentration of a chelating agent in the culturemedium is greater than about 0.2 g/L, preferably greater than about 0.5g/L, and more preferably greater than about 1 g/L. Beyond certainconcentrations, however, the addition of a chelating agent to theculture medium is not advantageous for the growth of the microorganisms.Accordingly, the concentration of a chelating agent in the culturemedium is typically less than about 10 g/L, preferably less than about 5g/L, and more preferably less than about 2 g/L.

The culture medium can also initially include a biologically acceptableacid or base to maintain the desired pH of the culture medium.Biologically acceptable acids include, but are not limited to,hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid andmixtures thereof. Biologically acceptable bases include, but are notlimited to, ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxideand mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the base used is ammoniumhydroxide.

The culture medium can also include a biologically acceptable calciumsource, including, but not limited to, calcium chloride. Typically, theconcentration of the calcium source, such as calcium chloride,dihydrate, in the culture medium is within the range of from about 5mg/L to about 2000 mg/L, preferably within the range of from about 20mg/L to about 1000 mg/L, and more preferably in the range of from about50 mg/L to about 500 mg/L.

The culture medium can also include sodium chloride. Typically, theconcentration of sodium chloride in the culture medium is within therange of from about 0.1 g/L to about 5 g/L, preferably within the rangeof from about 1 g/L to about 4 g/L, and more preferably in the range offrom about 2 g/L to about 4 g/L.

In some embodiments, the culture medium can also include trace metals.Such trace metals can be added to the culture medium as a stock solutionthat, for convenience, can be prepared separately from the rest of theculture medium. Typically, the amount of such a trace metals solutionadded to the culture medium is greater than about 1 ml/L, preferablygreater than about 5 mL/L, and more preferably greater than about 10mL/L. Beyond certain concentrations, however, the addition of a tracemetals to the culture medium is not advantageous for the growth of themicroorganisms. Accordingly, the amount of such a trace metals solutionadded to the culture medium is typically less than about 100 mL/L,preferably less than about 50 mL/L, and more preferably less than about30 mL/L. It should be noted that, in addition to adding trace metals ina stock solution, the individual components can be added separately,each within ranges corresponding independently to the amounts of thecomponents dictated by the above ranges of the trace metals solution.

The culture media can include other vitamins, such as pantothenate,biotin, calcium, pantothenate, inositol, pyridoxine-HCl, andthiamine-HCl. Such vitamins can be added to the culture medium as astock solution that, for convenience, can be prepared separately fromthe rest of the culture medium. Beyond certain concentrations, however,the addition of vitamins to the culture medium is not advantageous forthe growth of the microorganisms.

The fermentation methods described herein can be performed inconventional culture modes, which include, but are not limited to,batch, fed-batch, cell recycle, continuous and semi-continuous. In someembodiments, the fermentation is carried out in fed-batch mode. In sucha case, some of the components of the medium are depleted duringculture, including pantothenate during the production stage of thefermentation. In some embodiments, the culture may be supplemented withrelatively high concentrations of such components at the outset, forexample, of the production stage, so that growth and/or isoprenoidproduction is supported for a period of time before additions arerequired. The preferred ranges of these components are maintainedthroughout the culture by making additions as levels are depleted byculture. Levels of components in the culture medium can be monitored by,for example, sampling the culture medium periodically and assaying forconcentrations. Alternatively, once a standard culture procedure isdeveloped, additions can be made at timed intervals corresponding toknown levels at particular times throughout the culture. As will berecognized by those in the art, the rate of consumption of nutrientincreases during culture as the cell density of the medium increases.Moreover, to avoid introduction of foreign microorganisms into theculture medium, addition is performed using aseptic addition methods, asare known in the art. In addition, a small amount of anti-foaming agentmay be added during the culture.

The temperature of the culture medium can be any temperature suitablefor growth of the genetically modified cells and/or production ofisoprenoids. For example, prior to inoculation of the culture mediumwith an inoculum, the culture medium can be brought to and maintained ata temperature in the range of from about 20° C. to about 45° C.,preferably to a temperature in the range of from about 25° C. to about40° C., and more preferably in the range of from about 28° C. to about32° C.

The pH of the culture medium can be controlled by the addition of acidor base to the culture medium. In such cases when ammonia is used tocontrol pH, it also conveniently serves as a nitrogen source in theculture medium. Preferably, the pH is maintained from about 3.0 to about8.0, more preferably from about 3.5 to about 7.0, and most preferablyfrom about 4.0 to about 6.5.

In some embodiments, the carbon source concentration, such as theglucose concentration, of the culture medium is monitored duringculture. Glucose concentration of the culture medium can be monitoredusing known techniques, such as, for example, use of the glucose oxidaseenzyme test or high pressure liquid chromatography, which can be used tomonitor glucose concentration in the supernatant, e.g., a cell-freecomponent of the culture medium. As stated previously, the carbon sourceconcentration should be kept below the level at which cell growthinhibition occurs. Although such concentration may vary from organism toorganism, for glucose as a carbon source, cell growth inhibition occursat glucose concentrations greater than at about 60 g/L, and can bedetermined readily by trial. Accordingly, when glucose is used as acarbon source the glucose is preferably fed to the fermentor andmaintained below detection limits. Alternatively, the glucoseconcentration in the culture medium is maintained in the range of fromabout 1 g/L to about 100 g/L, more preferably in the range of from about2 g/L to about 50 g/L, and yet more preferably in the range of fromabout 5 g/L to about 20 g/L. Although the carbon source concentrationcan be maintained within desired levels by addition of, for example, asubstantially pure glucose solution, it is acceptable, and may bepreferred, to maintain the carbon source concentration of the culturemedium by addition of aliquots of the original culture medium. The useof aliquots of the original culture medium may be desirable because theconcentrations of other nutrients in the medium (e.g. the nitrogen andphosphate sources) can be maintained simultaneously. Likewise, the tracemetals concentrations can be maintained in the culture medium byaddition of aliquots of the trace metals solution.

5.4.2 Recovery of Isoprenoids

Once the isoprenoid is produced by the host cell, it may be recovered orisolated for subsequent use using any suitable separation andpurification methods known in the art. In some embodiments, an organicphase comprising the isoprenoid is separated from the fermentation bycentrifugation. In other embodiments, an organic phase comprising theisoprenoid separates from the fermentation spontaneously. In otherembodiments, an organic phase comprising the isoprenoid is separatedfrom the fermentation by adding a deemulsifier and/or a nucleating agentinto the fermentation reaction. Illustrative examples of deemulsifiersinclude flocculants and coagulants. Illustrative examples of nucleatingagents include droplets of the isoprenoid itself and organic solventssuch as dodecane, isopropyl myristrate, and methyl oleate.

The isoprenoid produced in these cells may be present in the culturesupernatant and/or associated with the host cells. In embodiments wherethe isoprenoid is associated with the host cell, the recovery of theisoprenoid may comprise a method of permeabilizing or lysing the cells.Alternatively or simultaneously, the isoprenoid in the culture mediumcan be recovered using a recovery process including, but not limited to,chromatography, extraction, solvent extraction, membrane separation,electrodialysis, reverse osmosis, distillation, chemical derivatizationand crystallization.

In some embodiments, the isoprenoid is separated from other productsthat may be present in the organic phase. In some embodiments,separation is achieved using adsorption, distillation, gas-liquidextraction (stripping), liquid-liquid extraction (solvent extraction),ultrafiltration, and standard chromatographic techniques.

6. EXAMPLES

6.1 Example 1

Identification and Characterization of NADH-Specific HMG-CoA Reductases

This example describes the identification and characterization ofHMG-CoA reductases not previously known to have NADH cofactorspecificity.

6.1.1 Materials and Methods

6.1.1.1 Strain Engineering

A wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, (CEN.PK2, Mat a, ura3⁻,TRP1⁺, leu2⁻, MAL2-8C, SUC2,) was used as a host for the expression ofthe mevalonate (MevT) pathway (whereby acetyl-CoA thiolase (ERG10)converts acetyl-CoA to acetoacetyl-CoA; HMG-CoA synthase (ERG13)converts acetoacetyl-CoA into HMG-CoA; and HMG-CoA reductase convertsHMG-CoA into mevalonate (FIG. 1)).

This strain was transformed with a plasmid encoding either aheterologous class II HMG-CoA reductase derived from Staphylococcusaureus (ZP_(—)06815052), Herpetosiphon aurantiacus (YP_(—)001546303),Pseudomonas mevalonii (P13702), Delftia acidovorans (YP_(—)001561318),Menthanosaeta thermofila (YP_(—)843364) or Silicibacter pomeoyri(YP_(—)164994); or an N-terminally truncated version of theSaccharomyces cerevisiae HMG-CoA reductase (tHMG-CoA reductase)(EEU05004). The class II HMG-CoA reductases were codon optimized foryeast expression and chemically synthesized with c-terminal FLAG-HIStags, with the exception that the P. mevalonii HMG-CoA reductase wassynthesized with the following additional modifications:

NotI site—GAL1 promotor—NdeI site—[P. mevalonii HMG-CoA reductase]—EcoRIsite—FLAG tag—HIS tag—STOP codon—PGK1 terminator—NotI site

This DNA was cloned into the NotI site of the pBluescript SK+ vector(Stratagene). The yeast Ga17 promoter was PCR amplified using thegenomic DNA extract of a wild-type CENPK2 strain as template and usingthe oligonucleotides YT_(—)164_(—)30_Gal7F (which contains a SacI and aNotI restriction site at 5′-end) and YT_(—)164_(—)30_Gal7R (whichcontains NdeI restriction site at 3′-end) (see Table 2). The PCR productwas cloned onto pCR II-TOPO vector (Invitrogen). Both plasmids were cutusing Sad and NotI, and the excised Sc.GAL7 promoter was used to swapthe Gall promoter upstream of the P. mevalonii HMG-CoA reductase gene.The resulting plasmid and pAM70 (SEQ ID NO:23), a yeast episomal vectorpRS426 with a URA3 marker, were both digested with NotI. The plasmidpAM01147 (SEQ ID NO:24) was then constructed by ligating the NotIfragment into the NotI digested site of pAM70. This plasmid was used asa base plasmid to swap the P. mevalonii HMG-CoA reductase codingsequence for any HMG-CoA reductase coding sequence of interest(including the yeast tHMG-CoA reductase) by digesting the plasmid withNdeI and EcoRI and ligating a digested HMG-CoA reductase coding sequenceof interest having NdeI and EcoRI sites at the 5′- and 3′-ends,respectively. Propagation of plasmid DNA was performed in Escherichiacoli strain DH5a. Strain Y1389 was then transformed with the plasmidsharboring coding sequences for different HMG-CoA reductases, andtransformants were selected on CSM media plate without uracil containing2% glucose. All DNA-mediated transformation into S. cerevisiae wasconducted using the standard Lithium Acetate procedure as described byGietz R W and Woods R A, Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular and CellBiology, Part B. San Diego, Calif.: Academic Press Inc. pp. 87-96(2002).

Genomic integration of Sc. acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (ERG10) andSc.HMG-CoA Synthase (ERG13) was targeted to the Ga180 locus of the hoststrain using the integration construct shown below (SEQ ID NO:25).

Each component of the integration construct was PCR amplified using 100ng of Y002 genomic DNA as template. PCR amplification of the upstreamGAL80 locus from positions −1000 to −1 was performed witholigonucleotides YT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)001 and YT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)003 (seeTable 2). PCR amplification of the yeast ERG10 and ERG13 genes was doneusing the pair of oligonucleotides YT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)002 andYT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)005 for ERG13 and YT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)006 andYT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)009 for ERG10. The oligonucleotidesYT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)004 and YT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)007 were used to amplifythe GAL1/10 promoter, while primers YT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)008 andYT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)011 were used to amplify the LEU2 gene. PCRamplification of the downstream GAL80 locus positions 23 to 1000 (afterthe stop codon) was performed with oligonucleotidesYT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)010 and YT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)012. One hundred fmol ofeach piece of DNA was added in a single tube and assembled by stitchingPCR reaction (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,982, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference) using the primersYT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)001 and YT_(—)164_(—)36_(—)012. PCR products havingthe expected molecular weights were gel purified.

TABLE 2 Primers used for strain engineering Primer name SEQ ID NO:Primer Sequence YT_164_36_001 SEQ ID NO: 26 GCCTGTCTACAGGATAAAGACGGGYT_164_36_002 SEQ ID NO: 27 TCCCGTTCTTTCCACTCCCGTCTATATATATATCATTGTTATTA YT_164_36_003 SEQ ID NO: 28 TAATAACAATGATATATATATAGACGGGAGTGGAAAGAACGGGA YT_164_36_004 SEQ ID NO: 29CCAACAAAGTTTAGTTGAGAGTTTCATTTAT ATTGAATTTTCAAAAATTCTTAC YT_164_36_005SEQ ID NO: 30 GTAAGAATTTTTGAAAATTCAATATAAATGA AACTCTCAACTAAACTTTGTTGGYT_164_36_006 SEQ ID NO: 31 GTCAAGGAGAAAAAACTATAATGTCTCAGAACGTTTACATTGTATCGACTGCCAGAACCC YT_164_36_007 SEQ ID NO: 32GGGTTCTGGCAGTCGATACAATGTAAACGTT CTGAGACATTATAGTTTTTTCTCCTTGACYT_164_36_008 SEQ ID NO: 33 GTGTGCCTTTTGACTTACTTTTACGTTGAGCC ATTAGTATCAYT_164_36_009 SEQ ID NO: 34 TGATACTAATGGCTCAACGTAAAAGTAAGTC AAAAGGCACACYT_164_36_010 SEQ ID NO: 35 GATATTTCTTGAATCAGGCGCCTTAGACCCCCCAGTGCAGCGAACGTTATAAAAAC YT_164_36_011 SEQ ID NO: 36GTTTTTATAACGTTCGCTGCACTGGGGGGTC TAAGGCGCCTGATTCAAGAAATATC YT_164_36_012SEQ ID NO: 37 AAATATGACCCCCAATATGAGAAATTAAGGC YT_164_30_Gal3FSEQ ID NO: 38 GAGCTCGCGGCCGC GTACATACCTCTCTCCGTATCCTCGTAATCAT TTTCTTGTYT_164_30_Gal3R SEQ ID NO: 39 CATATGACTATGTGTTGCCCTACCTTTTTACTTTTATTTTCTCTTT YT_164_30_Gal7F SEQ ID NO: 40GAGCTCGCGGCCGC GTGTCACAGCGAATTTCCTCACATGTAGGGA CCGAATTGT YT_164_30_Gal7RSEQ ID NO: 41 CATATGTTTTGAGGGAATATTCAACTGTTTTT TTTTATCATGTTGA RYSE 0SEQ ID NO: 42 GACGGCACGGCCACGCGTTTAAACCGCC RYSE 19 SEQ ID NO: 43CCCGCCAGGCGCTGGGGTTTAAACACC

Derivatives of Y1389 transformed with different HMG-CoA reductases (asindicated above) were transformed with the ERG 10/ERG13 integrationconstruct to create the strains listed below in Table 3. Transformantswere selected on CSM containing 2% glucose media plate without uraciland leucine. All gene disruptions and replacements were confirmed byphenotypic analysis and colony PCR.

TABLE 3 Strain Description strain # after Strain # Descrption adh1Knockout Y1431 MevT with S. cerevisae tHMG-CoA reductase Y1804 Y1432MevT with S. aureus HMG-CoA reductase Y1433 MevT with P. mevaloniiHMG-CoA reductase Y1805 Y1435 MevT with D. acidovorans HMG-CoA reductaseY1806 Y1436 MevT with M. thermofila HMG-CoA reductase Y1486 MevT with H.aurantiacus HMG-CoA reductase Y1487 MevT with S. pomeroyi HMG-CoAreductase Y1807

For strains Y1431, Y1433, Y1435 and Y1487, the ADH1 gene was knocked outusing the disruption construct shown below (SEQ ID NO:44):

ADH1 5′ homology Kan A ADH1 3′ homology

The disruption construct was generated by the methods of polynucleotideassembly described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,982. The ADH1 5′ homologyregion of the integration construct was homologous to positions −563 to−77 of the ADH1 coding sequence, and the ADH1 3′ homology region washomologous to positions 87 to 538 (after the stop codon of the ADH1gene). Primers RYSE 0 and RYSE 19 were used to amplify the product.Strain Y1431, Y1433, Y1435 and Y1487 (Table 2) were transformed with theproduct, and transformants were selected on YPD media plate containing2% glucose and G418 (Geneticin). The ADH1 gene disruption was confirmedby phenotypic analysis and colony PCR.

6.1.1.2 Cell Culture

A single colony of a given yeast strain was cultured in 3 ml of YeastNitrogen Base (YNB) media with 2% sucrose as an overnight starterculture. The next day, production flasks were prepared with an initialOD₆₀₀ of 0.05 diluted from the starter culture in 40 ml YNB-4% sucroseproduction culture media in 250 ml disposable PETG sterile flasks(Nalgene). The flasks were incubated at 30° C. by shaking at 250 RPM forthe durations indicated below.

6.1.1.3 HMG-CoA Reductase Activity Assay Using Cell-Free Extract

Yeast cells were grown for 48 hours HMG-CoA reductase activity assays(FIG. 8) or 72 hours for mevalonate assays (Table 4) and harvested bycentrifugation in a 15 mL Falcon tube for 10 minutes at 4000×g in aswinging bucket rotor JS-5.3 with proper carriage for the Falcon tubes.The cell pellet was resuspended in 1 ml and washed once using cold lysisbuffer (100 mM Tris pH 7.0 with Mini, EDTA free protease inhibitortablet (Roche) added, 1 mM DTT and 1 mM EDTA). The cells were thentransferred to a 2 mL plastic screw cap microfuge tube with O ring cap(Fisher Brand 520-GRD) and cells were lysed using disruption beads(Disruption beads, 0.5Mm, Fisher) and a bead beater for 1 minute at 6M/S. The tubes were immediately placed in an ice water bath for at least5 minutes. Tubes were spun at a minimum of 8000×g for 20 minutes. Thesupernatant was then transferred to a new cold tube. Proteinconcentration was measured using the classic Bradford assay for proteins(Bradford M M A rapid and sensitive method for quantitation of microgramquantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding.Anal. Biochem 72, 248-254 (1976)).

For HMG-CoA reducatase assays, the reaction buffer (100 mM phosphatebuffer pH 7.0, 100 mM KCl, 1 mM DTT and 1 mM EDTA) was initiallypre-incubated in a 96 well plate at 30° C. Either NADH or NADPH at afinal concentration of 150 μM, a final concentration of 400 μM HMG-CoAand 5 mM final concentration of DTT was added to a total volume of 190μl in each well. The assay was initiated by adding ten microliter ofcell-free extract diluted to the range of linear activity. The reactionwas monitored by measuring the decrease in absorbance of NADPH or NADHat 340 nm using Molecular Devices Spectramax M5 plate reader. The slopeof the line of absorbance at 340 nm along with the protein concentrationwas used to calculate the specific activity of HMGr for each cell freeextract.

6.1.1.4 Organic Acids and Alcohol Measurement

Samples for organic acids and alcohols assay were prepared by taking 1ml of fermentation broth and transferring the samples to a 1.5 mleppendorf tubes. Samples were spun for 1 min at 13,000 RPM using a tableeppendorf centrifuges. The supernatant was then diluted (1:1 v/v) in 15mM sulfuric acid. The mixture was vortexed and centrifuged for 1 min at13,000 RPM. The clarified supernatant was transferred to a vial for HPLCanalysis.

HPLC analysis was performed for glycerol and mevalonate content usingHPLC Thermofisher and by ion exclusion chromatography using ColumnWaters IC-Pak 7.8 mm×300 mm, 7 μm, 50 Å (Waters) and with refractiveindex (RI) detection (Thermofisher). Elution was carried outisocratically using a 15 mM sulfuric acid aqueous mobile phase with 0.6mL/min flow rate.

6.1.2 Results

6.1.2.1 Determination of Cofactor Specificity for Class II HMG-CoAReductases

As shown in FIG. 8, HMG-CoA reductases from D. acidovorans and S.pomeroyi exhibit high specificity for NADH and high specific activity invitro. These HMG-CoA reductases displayed virtually no specific activityin the presence of NADPH, while specific activity approached 400nmol/mg/min in the presence of NADH. Similarly, HMG-CoA reductase fromP. mevalonii demonstrated selectivity for NADH as a cofactor, consistentwith previously published reports. See, e.g., Hedl et al., J. Bacteriol186(7):1927-1932 (2004). By contrast, HMG-CoA reductases from S.cerevisiae, S. aureus and H. aurantiacus showed no measurable activityin the presence of NADH, and HMG-CoA reductase from M. thermofila showedbarely detectable activity in the presence of both NADPH and NADH. Theseresults indicate that HMG-CoA reductases from D. acidovorans and S.pomeroyi are NADH-selective HMG-CoA reductases, similar to the HMG-CoAreductase from P. mevalonii.

In addition, Table 4 indicates that strains comprising a MevT pathwaycomprising an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase (from P. mevalonii, D.acidovorans and S. pomeroyi, respectively) produced substantially lessmevalonate than strains comprising a MevT pathway comprising anNADPH-using HMG-CoA reductase (from S. cerevisiae, S. aureus and H.aurantiacus, respectively). This suggests that in vivo, an additionalsource of NADH is required to utilize the full catalytic capacity ofNADH-using HMG-CoA reductases towards mevalonate and downstreamisoprenoid production.

TABLE 4 Mevalonate production from NADPH-using HMG-CoA reductases vs.NADH-using HMG-CoA reductases Source of HMG-CoA reductase Mevalonateproduction (g/L) Co-factor specificity S. cerevisiae 1.11 NADPH S.aureus 1.74 NADPH H. aurantiacus 1.84 NADPH P. mevalonii 0.41 NADH D.acidovorans 0.42 NADH S. pomeoyri 0.57 NADH

6.1.2.2 Increased Intracellular NADH Improves NADH-Using HMG-CoAReductase Activity

As indicated in FIGS. 9-11, mevalonate production is substantiallyimproved in cells comprising a MevT pathway comprising an NADH-usingHMG-CoA reductase when a metabolic perturbation is introduced whichincreases the intracellular concentration of NADH. ADH1 reducesacetaldehyde to ethanol in an NADH-dependent manner. In anadh1Δbackground, host cells suffer reduced growth (FIG. 9) and increasedglycerol production (FIG. 10), which is indicative of redox imbalancelikely resulting from the accumulation of intracellular NADH. However,while cells comprising a MevT pathway comprising an NADPH-using HMG-CoAreductase (S. cerevisiae (Sc.) tHMG-CoA reductase) display reducedmevalonate production in the adh1Δbackground, cells comprising a MevTpathway comprising an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase ((from P. mevalonii,D. acidovorans and S. pomeroyi, respectively) display substantialimprovements in mevalonate production (FIG. 11), despite also showingsigns of redox stress. These data suggest that NADH-using HMG-CoAreductases are able to utilize increased pools of intracellular NADH toboost mevalonate production. These results also suggest that in theabsence of an increased intracellular source of NADH, NADH-using HMG-CoAreductases are cofactor limited.

Notably, previous published reports have indicated that the HMG-CoAreductase of P. mevalonii is utilized in the degradation of mevalonate.See Anderson et al., J. Bacteriol., (171(12):6468-6472 (1989). P.mevalonii is among the few prokaryotes that have been identified ascapable of subsisting on mevalonate as its sole carbon source. However,the results presented here demonstrate the unexpected utility of P.mevalonii HMG-CoA reductase for use in a biosynthetic pathway formevalonate.

6.2 Example 2

Improved Isoprenoid Production and Redox Balancing with Alternate Routesto Acetyl-CoA and Alternate MEV Pathway Enzymes

This example demonstrates that mevalonate and downstream isoprenoidproduction from the MEV pathway can be improved by utilizing alternateroutes to cytolsolic acetyl-CoA production, e.g. via the heterologousexpression of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating (ADA, E.C.1.2.1.10), in lieu of the wild-type PDH-bypass, and in variouscombinations with alternate MEV pathway enzymes. These results show thatthe redox imbalance introduced by the replacement of the NADPH-producingPDH-bypass enzymes with NADH-producing ADA can be alleviated in part bycombining ADA expression with an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase of the MEVpathway, and/or with heterologous expression of phosphoketolase andphosphotrancsacetylasse, which can also provide an additional alternateroute to cytosolic acetyl-CoA production. These results furtherdemonstrate that the catalytic capacity of ADA for providing acetyl-CoAsubstrate to the MEV pathway is substantially improved by providing athermodynamically favorable downstream conversion of acetyl-CoA toacetoacetyl-CoA, such as that provided by acetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoAacyltransferase.

6.2.1 Materials and Methods

6.2.1.1 Strain Engineering

The strains listed in Table 5 were constructed to determine: (1) theeffects on cell growth and heterologous isoprenoid production when ADAis paired with an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase versus an NADPH-usingHMG-CoA reductase; (2) the effect of phosphoketolase andphosphotransacetylase expression on the redox imbalance created by theexpression of ADA; and (3) the effect of acetoacetyl-CoA synthaseexpression on mevalonate levels in strains expressing ADA.

TABLE 5 Strain Name Description Y968 Wildtype CEN.PK2 Y12869acs1{circumflex over ( )}acs2{circumflex over ( )}ald6{circumflex over( )}; 2x Dz.eutE Y12746 acs1{circumflex over ( )}acs2{circumflex over( )}ald6{circumflex over ( )}; 2x Dz.eutE; 3x Lm.PK; 1x Ck.PTAY12869.ms63908 Y12869 with construct ms63908 Y12869.ms63909 Y12869 withconstruct ms63909 Y968.ms63908 Y968 with construct ms63908 Y968.ms63909Y968 with construct ms63909 Y12869.ms63907.ms64472 Y12869.ms63907 withconstruct ms64472 Y12869.ms63909.ms64472 Y12869.ms63909 with constructms64472 Y968.ms63907.ms64472 Y968.ms63907 with construct ms64472Y968.ms63909.ms64472 Y968.ms63909 with construct ms64472

6.2.1.1.1 Y968

Y968 is wildtype Saccharomyces cerevisiae CEN.PK2, Matalpha. Thestarting strain for Y12869, Y12746, and all of their derivatives, wasSaccharomyces cerevisiae strain (CEN.PK2, Mat alpha, ura3-52, trp1-289,leu2-3,122, his3^1), Y003. All DNA-mediated transformation into S.cerevisiae was conducted using the standard Lithium Acetate procedure asdescribed by Gietz R W and Woods R A, Guide to Yeast Genetics andMolecular and Cell Biology. Part B. San Diego, Calif.: Academic PressInc. pp. 87-96 (2002), and in all cases integration of the constructswere confirmed by PCR amplification of genomic DNA.

6.2.1.1.2 Y12869

Y12869 was generated through three successive integrations into Y003.First, the gene ACS2 was deleted by introducing an integration construct(i2235; SEQ ID NO:45) consisting of the native S. cerevisiae LEU2 gene,flanked by sequences consisting of upstream and downstream nucleotidesequences of the ACS2 locus. Upon introduction of a S. cerevisiae hostcell, this construct can integrate by homologous recombination into theACS2 locus of the genome, functionally disrupting ACS2 by replacing theACS2 coding sequence with its integrating sequence. Transformants wereplated onto CSM-leu plates containing 2% EtOH as the sole carbon source,and were confirmed by PCR amplification. The resulting strain was Y4940.

Next, ALD6 was deleted and Dickeya zeae eutE was introduced in Y4940with the integration construct (i74804; SEQ ID NO:46) pictured below.

ALD6US pTDH3 Dz.eutE tTEF2 TRP1

ALD6DS

This integration construct comprises a selectable marker (TRP1), as wellas two copies a yeast-codon-optimized sequence encoding the gene cutEfrom Dickeya zeae (NCBI Reference Sequence: YP_(—)003003316.1) undercontrol of the TDH3 promoter (840 basepairs upstream of the native S.cerevisiae TDH3 coding region), and the TEF2 terminator (508 basepairsdownstream of the native S. cerevisiae TEF2 coding region). Thesecomponents are flanked by upstream and downstream nucleotide sequencesof the ALD6 locus. Upon introduction into a host cell, this constructintegrates by homologous recombination into the host cell genome,functionally disrupting ALD6 by replacing the ALD6 coding sequence withits integrating sequence. The construct was assembled using the methodsdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,982. The construct was transformed intoY4940, and transformants were selected on CSM-TRP plates with 2% glucoseand confirmed by PCR amplification. The resulting strain was 12602.

Next, ACS1 was deleted in Y12602 by introducing an integration construct(i76220; SEQ ID NO:47) consisting of the upstream and downstreamnucleotide sequences of ACS1, flanking the native S. cerevisiae HIS3gene under its own promoter and terminator. Transformants were platedonto CSM-his plates containing 2% glucose as the sole carbon source, andwere confirmed by PCR amplification. The resulting strain was Y12747.

Next, Y12747 was transformed with a PCR product amplified from thenative URA3 sequence. This sequence restores the ura3-52 mutation. SeeRose and Winston, Mol Gen Genet. 193:557-560 (1984). Transformants wereplated onto CSM-ura plates containing 2% glucose as the sole carbonsource, and were confirmed by PCR amplification. The resulting strainwas Y12869.

6.2.1.1.3 Y12746

Y12746 was generated through three successive integrations into Y4940.First, Y4940 was transformed with the integration construct (i73830; SEQID NO:48) pictured below.

BUD9US pTDH3 Lm.PK tTDH3 URA3

BUD9DS

This integration construct comprises a selectable marker (URA3); a yeastcodon-optimized version of phosphoketolase from Leuconostocmesenteroides (NCBI Reference Sequence YP_(—)819405.1) under the TDH3promoter (870 by upstream of the TDH3 coding sequence) and TDH3terminator (259 by downstream of the TDH3 coding sequence); a yeastcodon-optimized version of Clostridium kluyveri phosphotransacetylase(NCBI Reference Sequence: YP_(—)001394780.1) under control of the TDH3promoter (870 by upstream of the TDH3 coding sequence) and the PGK1terminator (259 by downstream of the PGK1 coding sequence); flanked byhomologous sequences consisting of the upstream and downstreamnucleotide sequences of the S. cerevisiae BUD9 locus. Upon introductioninto a host cell, this construct integrates by homologous recombinationinto the host cell genome, functionally disrupting BUD9 by replacing theBUD9 coding sequence with its integrating sequence. The construct wasassembled using the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,982.Transformants were selected on CSM-URA plates with 2% glucose.

The resulting strain was transformed with the construct (i74810; SEQ IDNO:49) shown below.

ALD6US pTDH3 Lm.PK tTDH3 TRP1

ALD6DS

This construct comprising a selectable marker (TRP1); two copies ofphosphoketolase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides under the TDH3 promoter(870 by upstream of the TDH3 coding sequence) and TDH3 terminator (259by downstream of the TDH3 coding sequence); flanked by homologoussequences consisting of the upstream and downstream nucleotide sequencesof the ALD6 locus. Upon introduction into a host cell, this constructintegrates by homologous recombination into the host cell genome,functionally disrupting ALD6 by replacing the ALD6 coding sequence withits integrating sequence. The construct was assembled using the methodsdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,982. Transformants were selected onCSM-URA plates with 2% glucose and confirmed by PCR amplification.

Finally, the resulting strain was transformed with the construct(i76221; SEQ ID NO:50) shown below.

ACS1US pTDH3 Dz.eutE tTEF2 HIS3

ACS1DS

This construct comprises a selectable marker (HIS3); as well as twocopies a yeast-codon-optimized sequence encoding the gene eutE fromDickeya Zeae (NCBI Reference Sequence: YP_(—)003003316.1) under controlof the TDH3 promoter (840 basepairs upstream of the native S. cerevisiaeTDH3 coding region) and the TEF2 terminator (508 basepairs downstream ofthe native S. cerevisiae TEF2 coding region). These components areflanked by upstream and downstream nucleotide sequences of the ACS1locus. Upon introduction into a host cell, this construct integrates byhomologous recombination into the host cell genome, functionallydisrupting ACS1 by replacing the ACS1 coding sequence with itsintegrating sequence. The construct was assembled using the methodsdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,982. Transformants were selected onCSM-HIS plates with 2% glucose and confirmed by PCR amplification. Theresulting strain was Y12746.

6.2.1.1.4 ms63907, ms63908, ms63909, and ms64472 Integration Constructs

The ms63907 integration construct (i84022; SEQ ID NO:51) is shown below.

HO US GAL4

pGAL10 ERG10 URA3

pGAL1 Sp.HMGr HO DSThis construct comprises nucleotide sequences that encode a selectablemarker (URA3); a copy of the native yeast GAL4 transcription factorunder its own promoter; two native yeast enzymes of the mevalonatepathway (ERG10 which encodes Acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, and ERG13, whichencodes HMG-CoA synthase), as well as two copies of a yeastcodon-optimized version of Silicibacter pomeroyi HMG-CoA reductase, allunder galactose-inducible promoters (promoters of the S. cerevisiaegenes GAL1 and GAL10, flanked by homologous sequences consisting ofupstream and downstream nucleotide sequences of the S. cerevisiae HOendonuclease locus. Upon introduction into a host cell, the ms63907construct integrates by homologous integration into the host cellgenome, functionally disrupting HO by replacing the HO coding sequencewith its integrating sequence. The construct was assembled using themethods described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,982. Transformants wereselected on CSM-URA plates with 2% glucose and confirmed by PCRamplification.

The ms63908 integration construct (i84024; SEQ ID NO:52) is identical toms63907, with two exceptions: first, ERG10 is replaced by a yeastcodon-optimized version of the nphT7 gene of Streptomyces sp. CL190encoding acetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoA acyltransferase (accession no.AB540131.1) fused to the AHP1 terminator (125 by downstream of the AHP1coding sequence in S. cerevisiae); second, the sequences encoding S.pomeroyi HMG-CoA reductase are replaced by tHMGr, the truncated HMG1coding sequence which encodes the native S. cerevisiae HMG-CoAreductase.

The ms63909 integration construct (i84026; SEQ ID NO:53) is identical toms63907, with one exception: the sequences encoding S. pomeroyi HMG-CoAreductase are replaced by tHMGr, the truncated HMG1 coding sequencewhich encodes the native S. cerevisiae HMG-CoA reductase.

The ms64472 integration construct (i85207; SEQ ID NO:54) is shown below.

GAL80 pGAL7 IDI1

pGAL10 ERG20 URA3

pGAL1 ERG12 GAL80 US DSThis construct comprises nucleotide sequences that encode a selectablemarker (URA3); five native yeast enzymes of the ergosterol pathway(ERG12 which encodes mevalonate kinase, ERG8 which encodesphosphomevalonate kinase, ERG19 which encodes mevalonate pyrophosphatedecarboxylase, IDI1 which encodes dimethylallyl diphosphate isomerase,and ERG20 which encodes farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase), as well asan evolved, yeast codon-optimized version of Artemisia annua farnesenesynthase, all under galactose-inducible promoters (Promoters of the S.cerevisiae genes GAL1, GAL10, and GAL7). These sequences are flanked byhomologous sequences consisting of the upstream and downstreamnucleotide sequences of GAL80. Upon introduction into a host cell, thems64472 construct integrates by homologous integration into the hostcell genome, functionally disrupting GAL80 by replacing the GAL80 codingsequence with its integrating sequence. The construct was assembledusing the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,982. Transformantswere selected on CSM-URA plates with 2% glucose and confirmed by PCRamplification.

6.2.1.2 Quantitation of Mevalonate

Single colonies were inoculated in wells of a 96-well plate in seedmedia (15 g/L ammonium sulfate, 8 g/L potassium phosphate, 6.1 g/Lmagnesium sulfate, 150 mg/L EDTA, 57.5 mg/L zinc sulfate, 4.8 mg/Lcobalt chloride, 3.24 mg/L manganese chloride, 5 mg/L copper sulfate,29.4 mg/L calcium chloride, 27.8 mg/L iron sulfate, 4.8 mg/L sodiummolybdate, 0.6 mg/L biotin, 12 mg/L calcium pantothenate, 12 mg/Lnicotinic acid, 30 mg/L inositol, 12 mg/L thiamin hydrochloride, 12 mg/Lpyridoxine hydrochloride, 0.24 mg/L para-aminobenzoic acid) with 50 mMsuccinate pH 5.0, and 20 g/L sucrose, and grown at 30 C for three days.Then, 14.4 ul of culture was subcultured into seed media with 50 mMsuccinate pH 5.0 and 40 g/L galactose, and grown at 30 C for 2 days.

To quantitate secreted mevalonate, whole cell broth was first spun downat 14,000 RPM for 5 min. 10 ul of clarified broth was then incubatedwith 190 ul of assay buffer (1 mM CoA, 2 mM NAD, purified andlyophilized Pseudomonas mevalonii HMG-CoA reductase at 0.2 mg/ml,purified and lyophilized Pseudomonas mevalonii HMG-CoA lyase at 0.1mg/ml, 95 mM TrisCl pH8.5, 20 mM MgCl2, and 5 mM DTT). The sample wasincubated for 30 minutes at 30 C, then assayed for 340 nM absorbance ona Beckman M5 plate reader. Mevalonate concentration was quantitated byplotting onto a standard curve generated with purified mevalonate.

6.2.1.3 Quantitation of Farnesene

Cultures were first grown as described above. To quantitate farnesene,600 ul of 2-butoxyethanol was added to 150 ul of whole cell broth inthree additions of 200 ul each, with 90 seconds of shaking at 1000 rpmon a 96-well plate shaker between each addition. The samples were thenincubated for 40 minutes. 8 ul of the 2-butoxyethanol extract was mixedwith 200 ul of isopropyl alcohol in a 96-well UV plate (Costar 3635),then read on a plate reader for absorbance 222.

6.2.1.4 Quantitation of Optical Density

In a 96-well assay plate, 8 ul of culture was mixed with diluent (20%PEG 200, 20% Ethanol, 2% Triton X-114) and incubated for 30 minutes atroom temperature. The assay plate was vortexted before measuring OD₆₀₀on a Beckman M5 plate reader.

6.2.1.5 Batch Fermentation

Inoculum cultures of Y967, Y12869, and Y12746 were grown from singlecolonies in 5 ml of seed media with 50 mM succinate pH 5.0, and 20 g/Lsucrose. After 3 days of growth, the precultures were subcultured into25 ml of seed media with 50 mM succinate pH 5.0 and 40 g/L sucrose to aninitial optical density (OD) of 0.1. After 10 hours, the cultures weresubcultured again into 50 ml of seed media with 50 mM succinate pH 5.0and 40 g/L sucrose to an OD of 0.05. Cultures were grown at 30° C. Whenthe OD was approximately 3, the 3 flasks were split in half and spundown and the media was discarded. The cultures were resuspended in 1.5 Lseed media with 40 g/L glucose (without succinate) and transferred tothe fermentor. Fermentation experiments were performed in a 2 L BiostatB plus vessel (Sartorius, Germany). Stirring was controlled at 1200 rpmand the fermentor was continuously sparged with 0.5 L/min air. The pHwas maintained at 5.0 with 14.4 M NH₄OH and the temperature wasmaintained at 30° C. Roughly every 1.5 hours, a sample was drawn tomeasure the OD, dry cell weight, and organic acids and sugars.

6.2.2 Results

6.2.2.1 ADA Strains Produce More Isoprenoid when Paired with anNADH-Using HMGr Versus an NADPH-Using HMGr

FIG. 12A shows that strain Y12869, comprising a deletion of thePDH-bypass (acs1Δacs2Δald6Δ) and heterologously expressing ADA(Dz.eutE), produces more farnesene when expressing a MEV pathwaycomprising an NADH-using HMGr (construct ms63907) than a MEV pathwaycomprising an NADPH-using HMGr (construct ms63909). In contrast, FIG.12B shows that strain Y968, comprising an intact PDH-bypass, producesmore farnesene when paired with an NADPH-using HMGr. These resultsdemonstrate that utilization of ADA for isoprenoid production from theMEV pathway is improved when the MEV pathway comprises an NADH-usingHMGr.

6.2.2.2 Expression of ADA Causes a Redox Imbalance which is Alleviatedwhen PK and PTA Share Flux with Glycolysis

Native yeast produce two NADH per glucose consumed through glycolysis.When fermented to ethanol, the two NADH are reoxidized to NAD+. However,a fraction of the glucose is converted to biomass rather than fermentedto ethanol, resulting in an excess of NADH. This excess NADH isreoxidized to NAD+ through the reduction of dihydroxyacetone phosphateto glycerol 3-phosphate, which is hydrolyzed to glycerol. Strains whichuse the acylating acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in place of the nativePDH-bypass produce NADH instead of NADPH, resulting in a further excessof NADH. For each glucose converted to biomass, a strain which uses ADAin place of the native PDH-bypass produces exactly twice as much NADH,meaning that twice as much glycerol must be produced in order toreoxidize the excess NADH. As shown in FIG. 13A, Y12869 (a strain whichuses ADA in the place of the wildtype PDH-bypass) produces twice as muchglycerol as Y968 (comprising an intact PDH-bypass) while consumingcomparable levels of glucose in a batch glucose fermentation. Theseresults demonstrate that Y12869 is redox imbalanced as predicted by thestoichiometry of the ADA reaction.

The addition of phosphoketolase and phosphotransacetylase to an ADAstrain provides an alternative, non-glycolytic route to generating AcCoAfrom glucose, reducing the NADH produced through glycolysis andimproving redox balance. As shown in FIG. 13B, Y12745 (a strain whichcarries phosphoketolase and phosphotransacetylase in addition to theADA) produces half as much glycerol as Y12869, while consumingcomparable levels of glucose in a batch glucose fermentation.

6.2.2.3 The ATP Savings in an ADA Strain Come at the Cost ofThermodynamic Driving Force, which is Alleviated by a Strong DownstreamPull on Acetyl-CoA

The native PDH-bypass reaction for forming Acetyl-CoA isthermodynamically favorable because the reaction is coupled to thehydrolysis of ATP to AMP. In contrast, the acylating acetaldehydedehydrogenase reaction is not coupled to ATP, and is much closer toequilibrium than the native PDH-bypass reactions for forming Acetyl-CoA.When using then native S. cerevisiae pathway genes for producingmevalonate, strains using the ADA produce much less mevalonate thanstrains using the wildtype PDH-bypass despite comparable kineticproperties of ADA and Ald6 in vitro. As shown in FIG. 14 (1^(st) and 2ndcolumn), mevalonate production in an ADA strain (Y12869.ms63909) is only˜30% that of a wildtype equivalent strain (Y968.ms63909), despitesufficient kinetic capacity measured in vitro. This result reflects thelack of a thermodynamic driving force behind the conversion ofacetaldehyde to acetyl-CoA by ADA.

The Erg10 acetyl-CoA thiolase catalyzes the formation of acetoacetyl-CoAfrom two acetyl-CoA, a reaction that is thermodynamically unfavorable.Acetoacetyl-CoA synthase (i.e., acetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoA acyltransferase),encoded by nphT7, catalyzes the formation of acetoacetyl-CoA fromacetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA, a reaction that is thermodynamicallyfavorable due to the decarboxylation of malonyl-CoA. Putting thisthermodynamically favorable reaction directly downstream of AcCoAproduction provides a thermodynamic driving force that increases theforward activity of ADA. As shown in FIG. 14 (3^(rd) and 4^(th) column),when nphT7 is overexpressed in place of ERG10, Y968.ms63908 andY12869.ms63908 make comparable levels of mevalonate. Moreover, theyproduce more substantially more mevalonate than equivalent strains whichuse ERG10 for the first step of the MEV pathway (Y968.ms63909 andY12869.63909.).

All publications, patents and patent applications cited in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individualpublication or patent application were specifically and individuallyindicated to be incorporated by reference. Although the foregoinginvention has been described in some detail by way of illustration andexample for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachingsof this invention that certain changes and modifications may be madethereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed:
 1. A genetically modified yeast cell capable ofproducing an isoprenoid, the cell comprising: (a) a nucleic acidencoding an enzyme that condenses acetyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA to formacetoacetyl-CoA, and optionally one or more heterologous nucleic acidsencoding one or more enzymes of a mevalonate (MEV) pathway for makingisopentenyl pyrophosphate; (b) a heterologous nucleic acid encoding anacylating acetylaldehyde dehydrogenase (ADA, EC 1.2.1.10); and (c) afunctional disruption of one or more enzymes of the native pyruvatedehydrogenase (PDH)-bypass selected from the group consisting ofacetyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACS1), acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACS2), andaldehyde dehydrogenase 6 (ALD6), wherein the genetically modified yeastcell produces an increased amount of an isoprenoid compound compared toan yeast cell not comprising a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme thatcondenses acetyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA.
 2. Thegenetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, wherein the enzyme thatcondenses acetyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA is anacetyl-CoA:malonyl-CoA acyltransferase.
 3. The genetically modifiedyeast cell of claim 1, wherein the one or more enzymes of the MEVpathway comprise an NADH-using enzyme that converts3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) to mevalonate.
 4. Thegenetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, wherein the one or moreenzymes of the MEV pathway comprise an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase(HMGr).
 5. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, furthercomprising a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphoketolase (PK).6. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, further comprising aheterologous nucleic acid encoding a phosphotransacetylase (PTA).
 7. Thegenetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, wherein ACS1 is functionallydisrupted.
 8. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, whereinACS2 is functionally disrupted.
 9. The genetically modified yeast cellof claim 1, wherein ALD6 is functionally disrupted.
 10. The geneticallymodified yeast cell of claim 1, wherein ACS1 and ACS2 are functionallydisrupted.
 11. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, whereinACS1, ACS2 and ALD6 are functionally disrupted.
 12. The geneticallymodified yeast cell of claim 1, wherein the one or more enzymes of theMEV pathway comprise an enzyme that condenses two molecules ofacetyl-CoA to form acetoacetyl-CoA.
 13. The genetically modified yeastcell of claim 1, wherein the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathwaycomprise an enzyme that condenses acetoacetyl-CoA with acetyl-CoA toform HMG-CoA.
 14. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 1,wherein the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprise anNAPDH-using enzyme that converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate.
 15. Thegenetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, wherein the one or moreenzymes of the MEV pathway comprise an enzyme that phosphorylatesmevalonate to mevalonate 5-phosphate.
 16. The genetically modified yeastcell of claim 1, wherein the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathwaycomprise an enzyme that converts mevalonate 5-phosphate to mevalonate5-pyrophosphate.
 17. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 1,wherein the one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway comprise an enzymethat converts mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate.18. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, wherein the one ormore enzymes of the MEV pathway are selected from HMG-CoA synthase,mevalonate kinase, phosphomevalonate kinase and mevalonate pyrophosphatedecarboxylase.
 19. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 1,wherein the cell comprises a plurality of heterologous nucleic acidsencoding all of the enzymes of the MEV pathway.
 20. The geneticallymodified yeast cell of claim 1, wherein the one or more heterologousnucleic acids encoding one or more enzymes of the MEV pathway are undercontrol of a single transcriptional regulator.
 21. The geneticallymodified yeast cell of claim 1, further comprising a heterologousnucleic acid encoding an enzyme that can convert isopentenylpyrophosphate (IPP) into dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP).
 22. Thegenetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, further comprising aheterologous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that can condense IPPand/or DMAPP molecules to form a polyprenyl compound.
 23. Thegenetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, further comprising aheterologous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that can modify IPP or apolyprenyl to form an isoprenoid compound.
 24. The genetically modifiedyeast cell of claim 23, wherein the enzyme that can modify IPP or apolyprenyl to form an isoprenoid compound is selected from the groupconsisting of carene synthase, geraniol synthase, linalool synthase,limonene synthase, myrcene synthase, ocimene synthase, α-pinenesynthase, β-pinene synthase, γ-terpinene synthase, terpinolene synthase,amorphadiene synthase, α-farnesene synthase, β-farnesene synthase,farnesol synthase, nerolidol synthase, patchouliol synthase, nootkatonesynthase, and abietadiene synthase.
 25. The genetically modified yeastcell of claim 23, wherein the isoprenoid is selected from the groupconsisting of a hemiterpene, monoterpene, diterpene, triterpene,tetraterpene, sesquiterpene, and polyterpene.
 26. The geneticallymodified yeast cell of claim 23, wherein the isoprenoid is a C₅-C₂₀isoprenoid.
 27. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 23, whereinthe isoprenoid is selected from the group consisting of abietadiene,amorphadiene, carene, α-farnesene, β-farnesene, farnesol, geraniol,geranylgeraniol, isoprene, linalool, limonene, myrcene, nerolidol,ocimene, patchoulol, β-pinene, sabinene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, andvalencene.
 28. The genetically modified yeast cell of claim 1, whereinthe yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
 29. A method for producing anisoprenoid comprising: (a) culturing a population of the geneticallymodified yeast cell of claim 1 in a medium with a carbon source underconditions suitable for making said isoprenoid compound; and (b)recovering said isoprenoid compound from the medium.
 30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein the genetically modified yeast cell produces anincreased amount of an isoprenoid compound compared to the samegenetically modified yeast cell not comprising a nucleotide sequenceencoding an enzyme that condenses acetyl-CoA with malonyl-CoA to formacetoacetyl-CoA.